Virgil Hertz
Virgil Hertz, age 86, of Carson, ND, passed away at his home on Sunday, September 17, 2023 near Carson.
Mass of Christian Burial for Virgil will be Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. MT at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Carson, ND. Fr. Bijou Antony and Fr. Gary Benz will officiate. Burial will follow at the Carson Community Cemetery. Visitation was held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.
Virgil Joseph Hertz was born March 25, 1937, in New Leipzig, ND to Joe and Marie Hertz. When he was five years old, his father bought a ranch east of Carson. It’s on that ranch that Virgil grew to manhood and began his life as a rancher and rodeo athlete.
He married the love of his life, Patsy LeBeau, on November 5, 1960, and they would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this fall. From that beautiful marriage, Virgil and Patsy had four children, 16 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Virgil was so proud of his family and would tell you about them any chance he got.
Virgil’s love of horses led him to his interest in cattle and rodeo. He built a herd of cattle and horses and eventually took over the family ranch. He was a very successful rancher and well respected in the industry.
Virgil competed in rodeo from 1954 until 1970. He participated in many rodeos across several states. His favorite event was saddle bronc, but he also competed in steer wrestling, bull riding, and bareback riding.
Beyond the sport of rodeo, Virgil was also a Golden Glove boxer under the supervision of Butch Luger of Ft. Yates.
After Virgil stopped competing in rodeos, he judged them. His most memorable was the Prison Rodeo held at the State Penitentiary in Bismarck, ND.
When the 1973 Grant County Rodeo was not going to happen, Virgil, along with his family and friends, took on the task and put on a fine rodeo. Later, he spearheaded the much-needed renovation of the Carson rodeo arena which can still be enjoyed at the Grant County Fair each year.
In 1986, Virgil was appointed as a ND brand inspector. He has cleared out thousands of head of cattle and just retired this past year.
Virgil was well known for his ability to tell a great story, many of which shouldn’t be repeated around young ears. He always had a memory to share or a one-liner to make you giggle such as, “Don’t snow the snowman,” or, “If they kicked all the (cow poop) out of that guy they could bury him in a shoebox.”
Virgil laughed and cried through many ups and downs in life. He grieved the loss of three precious grandchildren, but he also knew the happiness that raising a family brought. He cherished the happiness that the weddings of his children gave him and the absolute bliss that the births of his grand and great grandchildren brought. He felt the relief of selling a fantastic calf crop and even at the age of 86, gazing at a pen of cattle and the birth of a new foal made him feel 25 again.
He loved his life as a rancher, rodeo athlete, boxer, son, husband, father, and papa. His great life experiences molded him in his early years and turned him into the wonderfully witty man that we all came to know and love. He left an imprint on this world that will never be forgotten.
Virgil is survived by his wife Patsy, daughters Jackie Stewart (Dan), Jaymie Hertz, and Joanie Bahm (Allan), son Reed Hertz (Ann), his 13 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, his sister Joann Ozbun (Roger), and brother Gary Hertz (Kathy).
Virgil was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Marie Hertz, his brother Don & Lee Hertz, his sister Darlene & Jerry Gammell, his grandsons Andrew Hertz and Shane Bahm and his granddaughter Emily Hertz In lieu of flowers please consider a Memorial donation to the wall repair fund at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church.