On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2018, Theodore Herbert “Ted” Hirsch joined his beloved wife, Ruthie, in heaven. Christmas Eve was their most joyful holiday to the very end of this life. During the time after his stroke on Friday, Ted was surrounded by his children, their spouses and many grandchildren.
Ted was 97 years old, having celebrated his birthday with family and friends at the Residential Living on Monday. His son Les and daughter Gail played music and Ted strummed his guitar and sang along.
Ted was born to Jacob and Annie (Redman) Hirsch at the family home near Rock Springs, Montana on December 17, 1921. He was the sixth child in a family of ten children living in a small cabin during very hard times. They were a close family and enjoyed and loved each other all their lives.
German was spoken at home so attending the East Uall School (riding horseback or walking to get there) must have been difficult the first few years. Because there was much work to be done at home, Ted wasn’t afforded a formal education, but he never stopped learning or reading or solving problems. Years later, education was so important to him he made sure his kids had high school and college educations at Miles Community College and Montana State.
When Ted was 17 years old, after years of struggle with the drought, grasshoppers and bad winters, his family moved to an irrigated farm in the Yellowstone Valley where they raised beets, grain and hay. In the wintertime, Ted worked for the John Herzog dairy.
During these years, Ted met Ruthie Toennis, the pretty girl down the road and waited for her to graduate from high school. After getting the crop in, they were married November 10, 1945 at the Sacred Heart Church in Miles City.
Ted farmed with his father three more years then moved his family in 1948 to the SH Ranch on Tongue River where he leased land from Ed Love. Things weren’t easy, there was no electricity, no running water and bad roads but Mom and Dad made a beautiful childhood for us kids. We learned the dignity of hard work, being kind to each other and your neighbors and had a lot of fun along the way. There was no school so Ted arranged to have SH School moved in and he served on the board for years.
In 1963, the family moved to the ranch on Moon Creek formerly owned by Emil Olander and later Ed Love. Ted was an excellent farmer, raised premium cattle and spent time in community service. He served on FHA, ASCS boards both county and state, and was a Custer County Commissioner. He was a good neighbor, always the first to a fire in the summer and the first to plow out roads in the winter or whatever else was needed. In 2002, Ted was chosen Ag Person of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. He was a good steward of the land. He treated it with knowledge and respect and in return his farms and ranches always flourished.
Over the years, Ted appreciated the ranch help he received from family, many loyal ranch hands and especially that of Todd and Pam Vaughn, Rick Abbott and Ron McPherson and their families. Ted practiced his Christianity in every day life. He was humble, didn’t criticize others, had a deep respect for all was generous and had a quiet grace about him.
Ted enjoyed family, farming, dancing with Ruthie, going to the 600 Café, visiting and music. When Les was elected to the legislature and was gone, Ted stepped in to help play in Les and Gail’s band for dances they had booked. Ted was very good playing in the band. This family has been so blessed to have this remarkable man in their lives.
Ted is survived by his two sons, Wayne (Traci) Hirsch of Billings and Les (Donna) Hirsch of Tongue River; three daughters, Pansy (Bill) Jones, south of Miles City, Diane (John) Jones of Moon Creek and Gail (Kyle) Shaw of Tongue River; one brother Elmer Hirsch of Billings; two sisters, Gertie Fisher of Miles City and Ruby Fields of Seattle, WA; sister-in-law, Eunice Hirsch of Miles City; brother and sisters-in-law, Pat and Aggie Toennis of Miles City and Dorothy Toennis of Phoenix, AZ and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Ted is also survived by seventeen grandchildren: Corey (Janette) Jones, Marcie (Jim) Niebur, Ryan (Nicole) Jones, Reed (Shannon) Jones, Lori (Tim) Blaede, Sara Hirsch, Heidi (Curtis) Hirsch-Obie, Ty (Val) Jones, Stacey (Leal) Brimmer, Sydney (Adam) Dice, Kyla (Josh) Sanders, Jay (Edyna) Shaw, Kristi (Cedar) Jeffers, Jamie (Barbara) Coston-Hirsch, Darrell (Jodie) Hirsch, Nathan Hirsch and Heather Hirsch. Ted was very proud of his grandchildren, their spouses and his 35 great grandchildren and their accomplishments. Those who have preceded Ted in death are his wife, Ruth, of 64 years in 2009, his parents, his brothers, Edwin and Alfred, and sisters, Edna, Hilda, Martha and Ruth.
Family will receive friends on Friday, January 4, 2019 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Friends of the Fairgrounds Event Center, Range Riders Museum, 4-H Council or to the charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday January 4, 2019
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main St
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Saturday January 5, 2019
Grace Bible Church
3505 Stower Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Myron & Mary Beth Kibler says
I am so sorry and saddened to hear this news today. It is so hard to lose our parents, but especially hard during Christmas. Heaven gained another angel. Ted was a pillar of the Moon Creek Community..the last of his generation that raised all of us kids. I remember so fondly the 4-H trips we took as kids, all loaded up in his grain truck, fitted with benches and tarped over. Man they would have a cow if you did that now wouldn’t they. I loved hearing him sing and play, what a fantastic voice he had! He and Ruth passed that wonderful talent on to his kids. Our “Moon Creek” family surrounds each and everyone of of you, his precious family members with love, prayers and hope for healing as you grieve, we grieve with you. All of our love to you, Myron & Mary Beth
Dolores Willson says
My sincere sympathy to all of the Hirsch family- Pansy, Les, Diane, Wayne & Gayle as well as all your extended family are in my thoughts at this difficult time. You have lots of great memories to cling to, and may those memories comfort and keep you.
Audrey Haumschild says
So sad to see my sweet man has gone to heaven. He was one of my favorite guys . Will miss him so much . RIP Ted Love and miss you . Audrey
Craig and Jerianne Dunnam says
We all loved you, we know you were ready, we miss you already. You will have Christmas in Heaven with your loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family still waiting to see you again.
Terry becker says
R.i.p. You were a very good friend of mine Ted .we used to have lots of good talks about business and other things . I will miss all those times , you will make heaven a brighter place.
Erin Lantis Leininger says
RIP Ted You will be missed by so many. Thoughts and prayers are with the your family.
Charles Jonutis says
A gentleman and one of the best farmer’s made.He was good in all field’s.
Cindy & Dale Berg says
Dear Hirsch family,
So sorry to hear about Ted. He was a special man and will be so missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
RIP dear Ted.
Ron McPherson and Connie Wyman says
So sorry for your loss. Our Thoughts and prayers are with you.May Ted Rest in Peace.
martha crandall says
my sympathy
Jane Viall says
To the Hirsch family — I have been thinking of all of you and praying for you, It is so painful to let them go from our daily life. We enter a new chapter of our own lives. You will continue to be on my heart.
Deb & Bob Hagemeister says
To all of the Hirsch families — our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time — hold onto your special memories!
dennis janka says
my prayers go out to the hirsch families. Ted was a wonderful man he always had time to visit with you. he will be missed. God Bless
Tom Hildner says
A wise gentleman that I was fortunate to know.
Teresa Geib Bacon says
Les and Donna, my Condolences and Prayers for you and the Family and Friends. May the Lord comfort you through this.
HwaSoon Hanic says
Lori and Family, I am so sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Bill and Sharon Oftedal says
Ted gave so much to this community–he and Ruth were valued members. Our thoughts go out to all of you.
Arn and Connie Huseby says
We are sorry to hear the passing of your beloved Ted.
Linda and Richard says
So sorry for your loss. The family is all in our thougths and prayers. May great memorie
help you through this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
Don and Patty Herzog says
Ted was a great uncle I got the pleasure to spend a week In some summers with the family even as early as when they were at the SH ranch I remember sitting at the dining room table at the wrong spot (the middle) thus having to “pass” the food to one end or the other most of the meal the family knew to get to table early to avoid that spot I was late so a lesson learned. lol Thank you for all the great music you and your family has played through the years. You were a gentle caring person thanks for being you, you’ll will be missed.
Judy Jens says
Ted Hirsch was one of my very favorite people. He was a county commissioner for Custer County, while I was one for Prairie County. Ted always approached issues with so much wisdom and practicality, and was such a kind and humble man. I still chuckle when I remember him saying at an Assoc. of Counties meeting, that the Custer County budget was ” tight as the bark on a tree.” I was honored to know him and call him a friend. I’d say his was a life well-lived! Judy
Vonnie Shannon says
Gail and family,
Sending my sympathy. Norman spoke of your father.
Larry French says
I remember while in the FFA in the 60’s Ted singing for us at hay rides and such. He was always involved what a gentleman. RIP Ted.
Melva Curnan says
Hirsch family, so sorry to hear of your fathers passing. My prayers for you and your families .
Rob Shipley says
Ted and Ruth Hirsch were salt of the earth Christians. They held very deep loves for Ed Love, as did my mom and dad. All four of them bought ranches from Ed Love and in this, the Shipley family and Hirsch family have been entwined now, which will be forever. Les and Donna own and operate our family ranch, the Tepee Ranch, purchased from Ed Love sixty-three (63) years ago.
I believe after many, many hours of sincere thought, the very best tribute I can offer to the friends and family of Ted Hirsch is this. To me, for all the right reasons, Ted Hirsch was a close friend and a man MOST LIKE Jesus who I wish to be with forever in Heaven.
Sandy and Pat Anderson says
Such a good family is a great tribute to Ted and Ruth. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
Rod & Sue Heitschmidt says
It’s been a longtime since we left Miles City, but regardless knowing the Ted Hirsch family is one of our fondest memories. When we wanted to know how good the wheat crop was going to be, we drove out to Ted’s to see what the best Custer County dry land farmet’s wheat crop looked like. Great conservationest and agriculturalist. Great American, Montanan, and Custer County citizen. Proud to know he and Ruth and their son Les and his wife Donna and their daughter Pansy and husband Bill. Rest in peace!
Jackie Stroh says
We all enjoyed Ted at residential living very much we sure do miss him there he was a very special man condolences to the family!
Sue Coston says
Our condolences in the loss of your father, prayers for the family.
Don and Sue Coston
San Antonio, TX
Sherry Oster says
My sincere sympathy on the loss of Ted. What a guy! I have fond memories of him always supporting the Moon Creek School children, while I was a teacher there, and just stopping in to “shoot the breeze.” Such an accepting, caring man that was cherished by many. I am so lucky to have gotten to know him. Thinking of and praying for all of Ted’s family.
Brian Zwiefelhofer says
It’s hard to put into words what Ted meant to me and my family. Ted was a loving and generous man, the memories he and Ruth have created for me will last my lifetime. I could go on for hours about Ted and Ruth and still not cover it all. I will miss Ted deeply and celebrate the wonderful life lived.
Al and Sandy Cameron, Kyle Cameron, Kevin Cameron and family says
Ted Hirsch family, it is so very hard to lose a Dad and Grandpa, our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Penny McPherson says
A true gentleman in every sense of the word. Ted was one of the kindest, smartest, humblest man (with a little humor thrown in) that I have ever been blessed to know. Please know that I hold him in the highest esteem and love each of you. Like someone else said, his greatest treasure was, and is his family. May your great memories console you through this loss. Prayers…..
Jim and Debbie (Pluhar) French says
To the entire Hirsch Family – We are so sorry for your loss…Ted was a gem of a man. When we ran cows at Moon Creek he was the epitome of a great neighbor. So very kind and generous, always looking out for our best interest. He will will be dearly missed. Our thoughts but mostly prayers are with you all!!
Dan and Marlys(Pixie) Healy says
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families. I can see Uncle Ted dancing with Aunt Ruthie in heaven and they are all smiles to be in each others arms.
Carol Hirsch says
I am so sad to hear of Teddy’s passing. He and Alfred and Eunice would “visit” for hours when I was taking care of Alfred and Eunice. Mostly they slept but the three of them always made me smile. I am sure going to miss the best looking guy in all of Miles City, heaven indeed gained another angel!
Pete and June Minow says
To all the Hirsch families – We are thinking of you and extend our sympathy in the loss of your loved one. We always enjoyed visiting with Ted whenever we saw him and remember him as an especially nice person. Prayers for all of you at this sad time.
Jen Jacobs says
Thoughts and prayers to the Hirsch family. I know you all have many many fond memories to cherish.
Jen & Chuck Jacobs