Erwin Heberle was born in Mound City, South Dakota on October 8, 1924. Oldest son of Karl and Adeline Heberle.
Margaret “Bootsie” Manning Heberle was born in Hysham, Montana. Oldest daughter of James and Margaret Manning.
Travis Austin was born in Billings, Montana, the oldest son of Randy Austin and Holly Heberle.
Their lives were forever intertwined, and it is fitting that they are memorialized together.
In 1928, at the age of 4, Erwin moved with his family to Plevna, Montana where they lived until 1939. They then moved to Custer, Montana, where his dad Karl Sr., purchased a service station and repair shop. While Erwin was in high school, he worked very hard alongside his dad while attending school 2 days a week. He was very proud of the fact that he still graduated on schedule in 1942.
Erwin enlisted in the army in April of 1943 and was stationed in Casablanca, Africa until he received an honorable medical discharge. He met Bootsie soon after he returned from service, and they married on March 1, 1952. This began a union that would last the remainder of their lives. Erwin and Bootsie lived in Custer for the first 8 years, during which time they were blessed with 3 daughters; Holly, Nicki and Andrea.
In August of 1960, the family purchased the Tepee Motor Ford dealership in Forsyth, Montana. Erwin and his younger brother Karl, along with their families, were sent to Forsyth to run the dealership. While living in Forsyth, Erwin and Bootsie were blessed with the birth of their 4th daughter, Kristin. This was a very difficult time for the whole family, as Bootsie was hospitalized for a very long period due to complications from childbirth.
In August of 1965 Erwin left the family business and purchased the Ford dealership in Baker, Montana. The business was known as “Erwin Heberle Ford”. Although they experiencedmuch joy during their lives, they both suffered greatly when their beautiful (youngest) daughter Kristin passed away from Leukemia on October 1, 1970.
In July of 1971, Erwin moved his family to Miles City, Montana, where he worked for Love Motor (which later became Miles City Ford). Erwin worked a total of 16½ years at Miles City Ford as general manager. They were blessed once again with the birth of their first grandchild, Travis Alan Austin in November of 1972. He brought joy into their lives, and the three of them were inseparable. Travis was well known and loved by all who met him. Travis was gregarious and outgoing and never knew a stranger. He believed that strangers were simply friends that he had not met yet. His life was not without pain and suffering, as he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at the age of 10, which was the cause of his early passing at the age of 40. Travis’ half sister Carma said it best when she learned of his death; “A fond farewell to my half-brother Travis, who did not know adversity in his own mind, despite many hardships. He just picked up and kept on going, a Montana man through and through. I hope he has found a sky bigger than Montana’s; a place to hang his hat and kick off his boots. The kid could really use a break.”
May all three of them rest together in peace and happiness, we love you and we’ll miss you!
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 19, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, MT 593247
Reception
12:30 p.m.
Friday September 19, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, MT 59327
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 19, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, MT 593247
Reception
12:30 p.m.
Friday September 19, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, MT 59327
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RALPH AND GLORIA DUNEMAN says
SORRY TOHEAR ABOUT ERWIN .WE WILL KEEP THE FAMILY IN OUR PRAYERS I WORKED FOR ERWIN FOR A FEW YEARS.
Joan Leinwand says
Sending my condolences. Erwin was a volunteer driver for me at Rosebud Health Care. He was so appreciated.
brigitte harms says
To the family of Erwin . Our prayers are with you. I new Erwin when he volunteered at rhc. he was a verry nice man olways a smile. he sure will be missed R.I.P.Erwin
Diane Welbes says
Sorry to hear of Erwin’s passing–He is with Our Lord now, and what a great place to be. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Pam ( Moths) Nisley says
Andrea, I am so sorry for all the recent loss of your dear family~ I just watched the video, and how touching it is! I am lifting you and your loved ones up in prayer – know that many of us care – I am but one. Blessing to all of you that remain~
Carol Rath Raschkow says
Dear Nicki and all of the family… I am SO very sorry for your loss…God Bless You ALL and help you in your mourning the loss of your dear family…
Kaye (Colleen) Manning Suhr says
A beautiful family…sister, brother-in-law, and great nephew…united in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers will be with you always…..Rest in peace, dear ones.
Tracy and Barb Rexford says
Our condolences to each of you. The tribute video was so very nice and brought back fond memories of Erwin, Bootsie and Travis for us.
Kevin Donnelly says
So very sorry to hear of your loss. May God be with all of you.
Kevin & Lori Donnelly
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to this family – I am sorry to hear of your loss. May you be comforted by the “God of all comfort” who promises to “comfort us in all our tribulations” (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4). I hope you find peace in many Bible promises (John 17:3).
Peggy and Gene Vennes says
Our sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Erwin and Bootsie … I have many fond memories of them! And many wonderful & fun memories of my parents , Ambrose & LaVonne Thielen, and the great times they shared! May God Bless them All!! Gene & Peggy Vennes, and the Ambrose “Bosie” Thielen family!!
Carma says
There is something special about visiting grandparents, it’s hard to put your finger on it. It was always a big adventure for my sister and I to come up to Montana to visit Erwin and Bootsie. We would play obnoxious noise games in the car for hours on end until mom decided it was time for the quiet game. When we arrived to warm embraces and happy faces, the entire house – the entire town seemed happy to have us. Everything poised – awaiting our arrival. So it seemed as a child, at least! The windows had a different view, the basement full of mysterious old treasures, the smells of cooking felt new but familiar. Everything was always familiar somehow. It’s family. Grandpa was always cracking a joke or tickling our ribs and grandma was always rolling her eyes and chuckling at him. She was the pragmatic one and the worrier. It was in her tone of voice, you could hear it in everything she said.
I have nothing but lovely memories.
I wish I could say they led a good life, but it was not always easy. They struggled more than we would ever want our loved ones to struggle. But I can say they were good people. And, as with everyone that touches our lives, we learn something from them. For this I am grateful. For Travis’ enthusiasm and perserverance. For Bootsie’s never ending overwhelming love. And for grandpa’s funny way of making us laugh; his great smile still makes me smile.
When my son started school a few years ago, I went into the offices (it’s in a separate building) for some administrative business. I was so struck when I walked in the door, I had to catch my breath. It took me a minute to figure out – they polished their floors with the same wax that Bootsie used, I imagine. They say the nose never forgets! Every time I step in that building it takes me back to the good ol days in Montana at Bootsie’s. Sometimes I walk through there for no particular reason – just for that quick trip back in time. Wouldn’t it be nice one day to walk through that building and find them sitting there arguing over something in the newspaper? I will keep trying… 🙂