Jerry Dale Heitz

Jerry D. Heitz, 84, of Bozeman passed away on October 9, 2024, at the Bozeman hospital, surrounded by his wife and daughter. Cremation has been entrusted to Dahl Funeral and Cremation. Jerry was born on November 20, 1939, in Prairie County as the oldest child to Raymond and Lorraine (Rath) Heitz. 

He helped raise sheep, cattle and horses. On April 27, 1963, Jerry married Marilyn Ludwig, the love of his life, and they would spend the next 61 years together and raise their daughter. They enjoyed fishing and camping at the local dams and then Fort Peck Lake in eastern Montana

He wore many hats; sheepherder, husband, father, carpenter, and then custodian, first at Circle public schools and then at Montana State University until he retired.

They moved to Bozeman after their daughter started college. They bought their last home in 1984 and put it in West College Park and became great friends with the owners Doc and Dorothy Fraker and their family. Jerry and Marilyn loved going camping and fishing at many of the lakes in the area. He started helping a co worker cut and haul wood because he had not done that being from the prairie. He spent many weekends throughout the years cutting and hauling wood and enjoying the outdoors.

 Once retired, they spent their time camping and running around with the grand children. They built a shed at Canyon Ferry Lake to have a spot to spend the summers. He got to use his carpentry skills in getting the shed set up. Jerry cleared the lot of cactus and enjoyed planting grass and a garden. He would spend hours watering, cutting grass and weeding.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Marilyn Heitz; daughter, Scarlett (Maurice) Wirtz; grandchildren, Nichole (Christopher) Snow, and Justin Wirtz; sisters, Irene (Jere) Louden, Shirley Heitz, Ethel Brost, Gloria Ludwig; brothers, John (Angie) Heitz, Tom (Daleen) Heitz, Glenn (Teresa) Heitz; brother-in-law, Alvin Ludwig, and Wally Sexton; He was preceded in death by his parents; Raymond and Lorraine Heitz; brother, Ted Heitz; in laws, Earl and Magdalena Ludwig; sister-in-law, Earlene Sexton and brother-in-law, Eugene Brost.