Ted Chris Heitz, age 68, of Brockway, Montana passed away on September 6, 2021 at the Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana with his family by his side.
Ted was born December 6, 1952 in Circle, Montana to Raymond and Lorraine (Rath) Heitz. He was the youngest of six children. He started his education at the Heitz School and graduated from Circle High School in 1970. After graduation he returned to help on the family ranch. In 1973 he attended AI school in Fort Collins where he learned to AI and pregnancy test cattle. Ted AI’ed and pregnancy tested cows for many of his neighbors. He was always ready to help a neighbor with brandings, weaning and shipping their calves.
On October 6, 1973, he married Shirley Leebenow in Miles City, Montana. They then began their lifelong dream of owning and operating their own ranch. They started raising Pinzguar cattle and showed and sold them in Great Falls, Denver and Portland. He was a member of the National Pinzguar Association. He was a member of the Brockway JC’s until they disbanded. He helped and sponsored events at Brockway Dairy Day.
In 1978, their son Clayton Ted was born. They continued working on the family ranch. In 1989 they purchased part of the Crow Rock Ranch. In 2000 they moved down the creek to their own ranch. In 1997, their son Clayton joined the family operation. This began a 24-year long father son partnership that lasted until Ted’s passing.
You’ll never meet a man that tried so hard to save every animal in his care, even though he sometimes knew the outcome would be bad. He loved to cake the cows and had pets in every bunch that would eat out of his hand. He was a true cattleman.
He became grandfather to four grandchildren, Hailee Sage (2006), Conner Scot (2009), Cooper Clay (2012) and Cruze Ted (2014). He enjoyed playing cards and board games with them, he also enjoyed taking them to carnivals, circuses and teaching them the life of ranching and farming. He taught them how to take care of animals. They were together many hours riding in semis, tractors, checking wells, fencing and doing routine things around the ranch. He followed and supported all their activities from sports to 4-H. He saw them almost every day and they became the keepers of his heart.
Some of his proudest moments were teaching his grandkids to rake and bale. Just before he left for the hospital, they were hauling hay together, him loading bales as Conner and Cooper drove the semi’s for him. He did what he loved and was happy to see the next generation going on with what he started.
Over the years, Ted enjoyed elk hunting trips, playing cards in Brockway, going to the lake fishing and also going to auctions just to visit and see new country. He made many trips to Las Vegas to the NFR, traveling to many US cities on tours, cruising to the Caribbean, Panama, and Hawaii with his travel friends. He always started every trip with “and why are we doing this” and then slipped into his tourist mode.
Ted is survived by his wife, Shirley of 47 years, his son Clayton (Shari) of Brockway; four grandchildren: Hailee, Conner, Cooper and Cruze; his brothers: Jerry (Marilyn) of Bozeman, John (Angie) of Missoula, Tom (Daleen) of Billings, Glen (Teri) of Fallon; his sister Irene (Jere) of Circle; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, uncles, aunts and a great nephew, Brock Loudon.
Family will receive friends on Sunday, September 12, 2021 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, September 13, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Interment will follow in the Brockway Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Memorials can be sent to the Brockway Commercial Club and Brockway Fire Department.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday September 12, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
702 Lehman Avenue
Circle, Montana 59215
Funeral Service
10:00 AM
Monday September 13, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
702 Lehman Avenue
Circle, Montana 59215
Graveside Service
After Funeral Service
Monday September 13, 2021
Brockway Cemetery
Brockway, Montana 59214
Luncheon
After Graveside Service
Monday September 13, 2021
Brockway Supper Club
1176 MT-200
Brockway, Montana 59214
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday September 12, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
702 Lehman Avenue
Circle, Montana 59215
Funeral Service
10:00 AM
Monday September 13, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
702 Lehman Avenue
Circle, Montana 59215
Graveside Service
After Funeral Service
Monday September 13, 2021
Brockway Cemetery
Brockway, Montana 59214
Luncheon
After Graveside Service
Monday September 13, 2021
Brockway Supper Club
1176 MT-200
Brockway, Montana 59214
Share
Barb and Dwane says
Shirley, Clayton and Shari;
So sorry to hear of Ted’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with your families. The Brockway community has lost another great man.
Shirley A Rolf says
Clayton and family, so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Remember the good times.
Tammy Pecha says
So sorry for your loss you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Joyce Langemo Camper says
Shirley,
I am so shocked to hear about Ted. You and Ted were such a great ranch team. I remember Glenn and him always carried a deck of cards for a game in the back of the Brockway school bus on the long ride to and from Circle High. And every Dairy Day Rodeo and Dance, he could be found greeting everyone at the gate and taking tickets. He had a sly sense of humor that I really enjoyed and will miss.
Jack Hedstrom says
So sorry to hear of your loss..we will always remember him with fond memories..Prayers to the family..
Kaylee says
Shirley, Clayton, Shari, and family-
So sorry for your loss. I will be thinking and praying for you all during this time. Brockway really took a hit this year by losing some amazing people. Cherish the memories.
Kaylee (Kountz) Kleinsasser
MARIDEL KASSNER says
Our hearts are breaking for you!! Thinking of you!
Lon and Vicki Reukauf says
We are saddened to hear of a good man gone to soon. With a guy like Ted one more visit would have been nice. Our thoughts and prayers are with you guys.
Larry and Sheri Schmidt says
So sad to hear of Ted’s passing. May his family find peace and comfort at this time.
Amy (Ziebarth) Lohrenz says
Clayton, sending lots of prayers that you and your family can hold onto all the great memories. So sad and heartbreaking.
Tanya (Loudon) Marchion says
So sorry for your loss. Brockway lost another great.
Kathy Aakre-Ruddy says
Sorry to hear of Ted’s passing, but what a legacy he left! Ted was a true cattleman that had a passion for life and loved his adventures with his family and friends. All of those who knew Ted are truly blessed, may he rest in peace.
Stanley Markuson says
I am so sorry for your loss. Ted was a great man and will be greatly missed by many. My thoughts are with you.
Mari Hinnaland Pederson says
Shirley and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Ted passing. He was a wonderful guy. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great loss.
Bill pugh says
So sorry to hear of Ted’s passing. In all the years I had the pleasure of knowing him, he was nothing but a gentleman, and always had a smile and a good word to say. This world lost a very special man. God must have needed him for his ranch!
Ramdy Mothershead says
Sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed Ted. He will be missed
Roxanna Kasten Musser says
I’m so sorry to hear of Teds passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Myron & Mary Beth Kibler says
My dear friend Shirley and family,
I have been struggling with the words for days now. You and Ted were one of those special couples that when you said one name the others always came right with it. When Teri called and told me Ted was in the hospital I prayed God’s words for his healing and strength for you. He rallied the next day and I thanked and praised God for his healing. I was certain he was coming home. He was healed and he did come home, but just not the way I visioned it…God did heal him and he is home in heaven and I truly believe we will see him again when we enter Heaven’s gates. In the meantime, we need to remember his wonderful smile, sense of humor, determination…everything that made Ted the special individual he was! I remember so well 1973, when you & Ted, Teri & Glenn, Jill & Glen, Myron & I found our lifetime soulmates. It dawned on me that we all got married within 3 months to a year of each other and isn’t it special that we all made ‘square knots’ that held all these years! Ted was smitten by his little blonde haired fireball..you made the perfect pair. I will see you Monday. Love Mary Beth & Myron
Greg Berger says
Shirley, Clayton, Shari, and kids,
My heartfelt condolences go out to each and every one of you along with Ted’s siblings. He was truly a man’s man and loved what he did. I truly think that he never thought of it as work but more as a way of life. The Brockway community has taken a hard hit this year with the loss of another icon. If there is anything we can do please don’t hesitate to ask. May God comfort you all during this difficult time.
Rena Medearis says
Clayton, Shari and family, Sorry to hear of your loss. Praying God will give you comfort through this difficult time.
Roscoe and Sharon Schmidt says
We will miss Ted a great man who passed away way to young . He was always a friend and I always enjoyed being around him .
Benjam Dover says
Clayton is an asshole.