Eugene J. "Gene" Hertz

Eugene Joseph Hertz, a longtime Missoula resident, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016. He was 84. Eug, as he was known to all who loved him, was born Aug. 7, 1931, in Glen Ullin, North Dakota, the second son of August Hertz and Anna Skalsky. Eug's maternal mother passed away when he was only 2 years old, and his father came to marry Albertina Doll, who he knew as his mother.

When Eug was a young boy, his father and Albertina moved to Charlo. Eug's childhood was spent constantly outdoors, working on the family farm with his beloved older brother Richard, and he was soon joined by brothers and sisters, Loretta, Erwin, Duane, Clem, Linda and Douglas. Eug was known as an accomplished horseman, and the family farm is where he learned the strong work ethic and love of fixing things that would accompany him throughout his life. He graduated from Charlo High School in 1952, and joined the Army. He was stationed in Germany during the Korean War.

In high school, Eug met the woman who would become his wife, JoAnn Johnston, and he loved telling stories of how he would help her milk the cows from her family farm so that he could take her on dates. Eug and JoAnn were married Nov. 26, 1955, at the D'Aste Catholic Church, and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last year. Eug and JoAnn moved to Missoula after their wedding and raised seven children. Eug was a certified lumber grader at the Bonner mill for 35 years, and retired in 1992. Retirement brought him great satisfaction. He started a handyman business and loved helping people all over western Montana with their fix-it jobs. He also found time to eat plenty of doughnuts and drink coffee with his buddies.

Eug's proudest accomplishment by far were his seven children. He was a devoted, loving and supportive father, and will be so sorely missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, JoAnn Hertz; their children, Judy Sackett and her husband Dave of Phoenix, Janet MacDonald and her husband Mike of Missoula, Rodney Hertz and his wife Sharlyn of Arlee, Raymond Hertz of Rancho Santa Margarita, California, Ronald Hertz and his wife Karla of Scottsdale, Arizona, Jolene Silveira and her husband Dave of Winters, California, and Jennifer Hertz and her husband Josh Cummings of Hingham, Massachusetts. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren. His first great-grandchild is due in April.

Eug's wish was to be cremated and his ashes spread at the foot of his father's grave at the St. Ignatius Mission. A vigil for Eug will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at Christ the King Church, 1400 Gerald Ave., followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the church. Following the funeral there will be a reception upstairs at the Iron Horse, 501 N. Higgins Ave.

The family wishes to thank Rocky Mountain Hospice, the Missoula Veterans Association and the staff at The Living Centre in Stevensville for their amazing support and assistance during Eug's last days.


Read Eugene Hertz's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.