Jacob Hertz

Jacob Hertz

Jacob Dean Hertz, 75, Plentywood, Mont., died Aug. 14, 2009, at Sheridan Memorial Nursing Home where he had lived the last four months. Services will be held at 2 p.m. MDT Monday, Aug. 17, at Plentywood Lutheran Church with the Rev. Ron Martin-Dent officiating. Interment, with military honors, will be in Plentywood Cemetery.

Jake, the youngest of 12 children of Jacob and Caroline (Engel) Hertz, was born in Mauch Township of Sheridan County, near Goodrich, March 14, 1934. He grew up in the Goodrich area, and joined the U.S. Navy when he was 16. Discharged four years later, Jake returned to the Goodrich community and later married JoAnn Dalos. Together they had three children.

During his career with the Peavey Elevator Company, Jake managed grain elevators in a number of communities in Montana. In the late 1960s, he was transferred to Grenora, where he lived for many years. At the time of his retirement, he was managing the Harvest States Company elevator in Reserve, Montana.

Music was the center of Jake's life - he played in dance bands, which is how he met his current wife, Ramona Halverson. Inspired by Herb Alpert, Jake was a trumpeter, but also taught himself to play the saxophone. The old-time favorites, waltzes, polkas - Jake loved 'em all! He and Ramona, were married Nov. 2, 1995 in Medicine Lake, Mont. They had made their home in Plentywood since.

Music was Jake's life, and golf was his hobby! He loved the game and played as much as he could, especially on the Redstone, Blacktail, and Plentywood courses, with friends Gene Robinson and Alden Hagen. He also loved the times he played golf with his grandsons. In later years, he took great pride in his garden and lawns. Family visits were the highlight of his days. Jake loved his country, and participated with pride in patriotic activities - "Mr. Music" was the bugler for countless veteran's functions over the years.

Jake is survived by his children, Cordell "Corky" and his wife, Carla, Jamestown, Lori Ledahl and her husband, Gary, Bismarck, and Brent and his wife, Kristi, Sartell, Minn.; and eight grandchildren. He is also survived by his wife, Ramona, Plentywood, and her family, Chip Halvorson and his wife, Margie, Kerry Halvorson, and his wife, Debbie, and Sheila Halvorson; and eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Jake was preceded in death by his parents and eight brothers and three sisters. (Fulkerson Funeral Home, Plentywood)