Sherman “Sherm” Lon Fluss, age 78, of Terry, MT passed away peacefully with family by his side, on September 16, 2021 at the Fluss -G Ranch south of Terry.
Sherm was born on July 17, 1943 in Terry, MT, the only son of Jay and Mabel Lucille “Minkey” (Barber) Fluss. He grew up on the Fluss Ranch along with his sisters, Lucille and Georga. Sherm attended school in Terry, where he graduated in 1961.
Through his high school years, he was involved in many sports, and naturally excelled at all of them. Basketball and football were his favorites, but he also took part in track and baseball. One of his favorite basketball memories he often talked about was “watching cheerleader Sharon cheer for him on the sidelines.”
After graduating high school, Sherm, along with several other Terry friends, chose to join the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Germany. In December of 1964 Sherm was sent home to help his father on the ranch due to the harsh winter the operation was enduring. In 1965 he was honorably discharged.
On September 4, 1965, Sherm married his lifelong partner, Sharon B. Dirks. He always said, “Everyone was trying to chase her, but I was gonna get her.” They then made their home on the Fluss -G Ranch south of Terry, where Sherm was born and raised.
In November of 1966 Sherm and Sharon welcomed their first child, Shawn Andray into the world. Shan Jay was soon to follow in September of 1969, and in April of 1972 their third child, and only daughter Sharilyn Maria completed their family. Sherm was very proud of his kids and enjoyed supporting them in all of their endeavors.
Sherm loved traveling. Having children that were interested in many events worked in his favor, as him and Sharon were able to travel to many places to take part in their activities. Shawn took part in 4-H and built numerous woodworking projects that he shared with his dad and mom. They enjoyed following Shan in his high school sports, basketball, and football. His high school career led him around the state to many play off and state championship games. Sherm and Sharon were always there, driving numerous miles to support. In college, Sharilyn played basketball for the MSU Bobcats. Her senior year, Sherm and Sharon drove with friends, flew, and traveled by train to many states including CO, NM, AZ, UT, NC, WI, ID, WA. These times also introduced them to new friends, some friendships which have lasted until present day. Sherm also enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow and was thankful for the years he had with them.
Sherm found much joy in rodeo, both participating and spectating. He did a lot of team roping in Terry and also traveled to surrounding towns to rope. Throughout this time, Sherm won two saddles, buckles, and other tack. In his later years, he enjoyed watching his daughter, son-in law, and granddaughters open rodeo, ranch rodeo, and high school rodeo. If there was a Calcutta happening, he would be there to participate, and usually made a gamble good enough to profit. Treating his money-making team to dinner and beers was his favorite way to celebrate.
Sherm always looked forward to attending the video sales where him and Sharon would sell the ranch’s calves. They traveled to Denver, CO; Winnemucca, NV; Carney, NE; and Sheridan, WY numerous times throughout the years. Sherm had the ability to recall just about anyone he would encounter. Because of
this, numerous friendships were built and strengthened in the years of attending the Superior Livestock sales.
Living life on the ranch and out in the country was something Sherm was known for and was very proud of it. After his father Jay passed away, he took it into his own hands to continue the family legacy and maintain the ranch to the standard of those in his past. With this came even more long-time friendships with hired hands, weekend help, and hunters. Sherm also built a meat shop out on the ranch where he processed beef and pork and enjoyed making various types of sausage. The traditional western cowboy way of life is what Sherm held closest to him, and if he would have been born 100 years earlier, he would’ve been perfectly content.
Sherm is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Sharon; their three children: Shawn Fluss of Terry, MT; Shan Fluss of the Fluss Ranch, and Sharilyn (Tim) Kortum of Terry, MT; his sister Lucille (Andy) Anderson of Coeur d’Alene, ID; brother in-law, Ron Johnson, of Terry, MT; six grandchildren: Bailey and Loni Kortum, Kasidee Smith; Alexis, Andraya, and Daylon Fluss; sisters in-law, Pam (Rocky) Ban of Laurel, MT, Dianne (Wade) Freiboth, of Billings, MT; Nephews and nieces: Shane (Amber) Anderson, Rachel and Aaden of Green Acres, WA; Sydnee (Keith) Wright, Andrew of Coeur d’Alene, ID; Jay (Louisa) Johnson of Phoenix, AZ; Melissa (Barry) Ehlert, Madeline and Ben of Meade, WA; Brigette (Shane) Burbank, Ryker and Wyatt of Huntley, MT; Toby (Staci) Ban, Carter, Carsen and Caden of Ramsey, MN; Jana (Rocky) Barz, Brendan, of Billings, MT; Candy Freiboth, Max and Simon of Bend, OR.
Sherm is preceded in death by his grandparents Lon and Irva (Booth) Fluss, Sherman and Agnes (Ross) Barber; his parents, Jay and Mabel Lucille “Minkey” (Barber) Fluss; mother and father in-law, Les and Clara (Schwartz) Dirks; sister Georga (Fluss) Johnson; and nephew, Jason Freiboth.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 1, 2021 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Prairie County Cemetery in Terry. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
If anyone so chooses, donations and memorials can be made to the charity or organization of their choice in memory of Sherm Fluss.
Diane Dresback says
Very sorry for your loss. Sherm was a great friend & neighbor big brother when we were kids.
Lynn Anderson says
Sharon, Shawn, Shan, Sam and Family,
I was so sad to hear about the loss of your husband and father. Sherm was a great man who will be missed by many. Please accept my heartfelt sympathies during this difficult time. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.
Don Dorcas lee says
Thoughts and prayers to all the family. He will be missed.
Sincerely Don and Dorcas
Flint Fleming says
RIP Sherm, God bless you and your family!
Jessica Rosencranz says
Sharon and family
I am very sad to hear of Sherman’s passing. I enjoyed him and his sense of humor very much during the time we spent together. May the peace of the Lord surround you all and provide you comfort.
Bruce and Cleo Schwartz says
Sharon and family….so sorry 😢 to hear of the passing of Sherm. Sending our deepest condolences to all.
He will be greatly missed .
Sending many hugs from the North.
Joe Brott says
I was saddened to hear of the loss of your father. I have a great memory of Sherm. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Mary Ann and Lige Murray says
Sam and Fluss family, we were sad to hear of Sherm’s passing. Sending condolences to all and hope his wonderful memories will give you all peace and comfort.
Tim and Pam Meidinger says
We are saddened to learn of Sherm’s passing and offer our prayerful condolences to Sharon and family. May he now rest in peace…
Cora Burtchett says
So sorry to hear of your loss. He is at Home and at Peace now. And an Angel watching over all of us. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.. 🙏🙏🤗💔
Bob Petermann says
Great memories from high school basketball and football, Sherm and I were on opposing teams but were always good friends at the same time, and ever since then. A line from a Red Steagal song ” Hats off to the Cowboy, they, ‘re syill riding tall. Don’t let em ride out of your sight. For the day they ride off in the sunset alone, a part of America dies.God don’t let America die.
Dan Herzog says
Sorry to hear about your loss.
Ron & June Tibbetts says
Prayers for you all. We have so many good memories with Sherm. A great fella. He will be greatly missed. Our deepest sympathy to you🙏🙏❤️❤️
Mary Ottoy says
Fluss Family,
Sincere thoughts and condolences for your loss. Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Bill and Candy Loehding says
So sorry to hear this! We always enjoyed seeing him and visiting through the years! Thoughts and prayers for Sharon and his family! He will be missed by many!
Cathy & Gary Kalmback says
Sharon,
We are so very sorry for your loss! Thoughts and prayers for you and your family during this very difficult time!
Kelly and Dulcy Hubbert says
Sending prayers to the Fluss family. Sherm was a wonderful man who will be terribly missed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Fly high with the angels, Sherm. RIP
Dick & Carol Scheetz says
So sorry to hear this. Prayers for comfort for the family.
Larry and Judy Jens says
It was with great sadness that we heard of the passing of our friend and neighbor, Sherm. We have many fond memories of earlier brandings and shippings and Larry’s memories go back to childhood days. We’re thinking of all the family during this difficult time. May the gentle hand of God touch your hearts with peace.
Lon and Vicki Reukauf says
Sharon, Shawn, Shan, Sam and Family, We are so very sad to hear that your beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away. We always treasured his wonderful sense of humor and visits with him. We will certainly miss him, too. Sending heartfelt prayers to you all.
Delores Cameron says
Sharon & family,
Our sympathy goes out to you folks.
Arlen and Alice Miller says
Sharrn and Fluss family,So sorry to hear of Shrmas passing , he will be missed by all! Thoughts and prayers to all, Our Sympathy
Geneva Pleinis says
Sharon and family SO sorry for the loss of your husband/father and grandfather. MayTHE GOOD LORD PUT HIS ARMS AROUND YOU AND GIVE YOU PEACE. GOD BLESS
Tim and Diane Ehman says
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Fluss family. We will always remember him and miss visiting with him.
Todd Devlin says
What a great guy! What a fun guy! What a guy! He will be missed, but never forgotten.
Derald and Vivian Reno says
Sharon and family,
Your family is in our thoughts, as we are saddened to read of Sherm”s death.
We send our sympathy to all of you. May God comfort you and
give you strength now and always.
Elarian Nichols says
Thought & prayers to the Fluss family. Great memories of Sherm & Wes during their High School years. May your remembrances help you through this time.
Ed and Chely Brubaker says
Our deepest condolences to you Sharon and family. The Fluss ranch holds many memories for Ed. Sherm was a one of a kind guy who will not be forgotten in our hearts. Prayers to you all. Ed and Chely
Jason and Bonnie Higgins says
We are sorry for your loss, you are in our prayers
Cindy Ban says
Sharon and family, we are so sorry. Sherm was a great man and he will be missed by many. Some day, we will all meet again and what a glorious day that will be. Prayers for all of you and may Sherm rest in peace.
Ron Hathaway says
Sorry for your loss. The only time I met Sherm was when he ran over the top of me for a touchdown. That was the start of my shoulder problems. May he Rest In Peace! Ron Hathaway, SHHS
Lissa says
Sharon, Shawn, Shan, Sam and Families
Sorry for your loss. Sherm was a great guy!
Sincerely,
Willis, Ardi, Lissa and Ross
Bartholomay
Paul and Elaine Schieffer says
We are so sorry to read of Sherm’s passing. We spent a lot of time together growing up, and always were happy to see him and Sharon when they came to town. What a wonderful person!
Thinking of all of you. Stay strong!
Willard and Diane Unruh says
We are sorry to hear of your loss, you are in our prayers.
Glo says
Hugs to each and every one of you. Such a gentle soul with a fabulous sense of humor. His legacy lives on in each of you. Love you all!
Arlene Morast says
Sharon and family, So sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time. Sincere sympathy to you all..
Valda Jones says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lyle & Valda (Haidle) Jones
Jamie and Trent Hess says
Thoughts and prayers with your and your families
Jean Trask Brown says
So sorry to hear of Sherm’s passing. He will be missed.
Michele Steyh says
Fluss Family, we are keeping you in our thoughts in prayers.
Ron and Shelley (Schultz) Steyh
Michele Steyh says
Fluss Family, we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Ron and Shelley (Schultz) Steyh
Jennifer Holton says
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Sherm. He was a wonderful guy and will be missed! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
John Munsell says
Similar to Ron Hathaway’s remarks above. I was a freshman, Sherm was a senior, and larger than me. I tackled him and held on for dear life. He merely carried me across the goal line. As adults, I greatly enjoyed our visits. He was congenial, with a great sense of humor.
Janet Loomis says
So Sorry for you loss. May God Bless you and keep you all. Janet
Jeanie & John Wilkinson says
Hugs and prayers to family. RIP Sherm. You will be missed.
Burt, Monique, Kael, and Isis Keltner says
Sherm is truly one of a kind. Always enjoyed hearing him and my Dad share stories when I was younger. Love thinking back to the memories with him and his wonderful family during 4-H, Fair, Football, Basketball, and so much more. Great fellow and great family!
Pat Herzog says
Sharon and Family.. our deepest sympathy in the loss of Sherm… always enjoyed our visits with him.. will hold all you in our prayers during this difficult time 🙏❤ Monte and Pat Herzog!
Ken Minow says
I bought my shop in the early 90’s and part of the contract for deed was I had to keep a mobile home on it.When the people that had their trailer on my land sold it,I had to find a replacement fast.My good friend Jerry Muggli introduced me to Sherm,who had an empty trailer house on his ranch.He gave it to me for the hauling.He really had a great sense of humor and sure did me right.My condolences to the family. Ken Minow KM Repair
Larry Keltner says
Fluss Family, I extend to you my condolences on the loss of Sherm. I have always looked to him as a Cowboy. There are a string of fella’s that were my Dad’s age that could “hold court” for hours with telling re-ride stories and tales of yore. Sports, horse wrecks, chasing girls; whatever! I loved all the stories. I remember going to Fluss’s for a birthday party during elementary school and was really fond of Sherm’s treasures he had to show me. The late summer after I graduated High School left me with a 4-H steer and no Fair to sell it at since MSU football practice started beforehand. On a Tuesday, I loaded my fat calf on our blue Chevy pickup with a stockrack and headed to Miles to the sale. Since I was by myself, I figured I would slip into the Interstate Cenex for a pop to tide me over on the trip. Sherm was in the corner having a smoke and a cup of coffee “holding court”. I posted up for a while and after telling him what I was up too, he expressed his displeasure with the Council’s ruling on my calf and said he would buy the calf. He told me to go weigh the calf at the stockyards, leave him there and come tell him so he could write me a check there on the spot. I offered to haul the calf to his place and he said “The boys will need something to do!” (sorry Shawn and/or Shan 🙂 I was headed to the Bank with my check and ready to pull out for Bozeman’s meat squad that week. Big black hat with swirling smoke, twinkling eyes and a sterling grin that let a chuckle slip out easy all wrapped up in a man well over 6 feet tall. Goodbye to one of the Terrier’s best Cheerleaders. Rest well, LK
Mary Ann Liles says
Dear Sharon and family, I am so sorry to read of Sherm’s passing, but know that he enjoyed a wonderful life with you and his family. You are in my prayers. God bless.
Mary Ann Stockhill Liles
Lori Badgley says
Sharon, Shan, Shawn and Sam- My dad and I are so sorry to hear of Sherm’s passing. He was such a great guy. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Lori (Kicker) Badgley
Ron Kicker
Barb Smalis says
Sherm, quite simply one of the best guys I have ever known…..so sad for you all and prayers for your hearts to heal.
Linda Koehler says
Dear Sharon and family…
Words convey so little when hearts feel so much. May time and special memories help ease your sorrow and comfort you in the difficult time ahead.
Cliff & Lila Glade says
Sharon & family, we were so sorry to hear about Sherm, we have many great memories, which is about the best thing we can leave anybody! We are holding you close in our thoughts during this trying time.
Kenneth Lacquement says
Sharon and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. May God heal your grief and bless you all
Lonny & Sandy Dirks says
Dearest Sharon, Shawn, Shan, Sherilyn & Family,
We extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to you all. We pray that God will console you in your grief, give you strength, comfort you and bring you His peace. You are in our thoughts and in our hearts. Sending you much love, now and always.
Joyleen Kalfell says
Thoughts and prayers to the family of Sherm. 🙂
Erin O'Connor says
Fluss family,
My deepest condolences on the passing of Sherm. He was a one in a million! I got to know Sherm and Sharon at the FWP Block Management dinners and always enjoyed seeing them there and whenever they’d come to the office. Visiting with Sherm was always a treat – his wicked, dry sense or humor clicked with mine and I so enjoyed chatting and listening to his stories (probably over some whiskey – ha!). I will always remember him sneaking into the buffet area before dinner was served and shoving fried shrimp in his coat pockets. Oh, the guff we gave him for that! He always could make you laugh somehow or another. He will be greatly missed but i’m darn glad to have known him.
Francis Madden says
Sorry to hear of Sherm’s passing. Memories of Sherm in high school make me smile. Sherm & Sharon great hosts when we stopped at the ranch “out of the blue” a few years ago on a backroads trip to Terry. Will be missed by all who knew him.
Rob Shipley says
I met Sherm when I was four (4) in 1951 at a Kalfell branding. That was seventy (70) years ago. I never saw Sherm but perhaps fifteen (15) or twenty ( 20) times even though we lived our total lives a mere fifty (50) miles apart. He spoke to me every single time in his well known gentle manner, “Hello, Robbie.” He always knew who I was and this has always been a precious thing to me.
Of great importance I am sure, those of us ever so wonderfully blessed to live in Montana, do in all actuality , “Live among Legends”. Sherm Fluss was one of the most angelic of all Montana legends.
May we all enjoy forever, knowing Sherm, in Heaven for all eternity.