Gerhart C Hertel

Gerhart Clarence Hertel, age 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and holding the hand of his beloved wife Lucille on the 9th of October, 2018 in his home in West Valley City, Salt Lake, Utah.

He was born on the 11th of September, 1933 on a farm in McLaughlin, Corson, South Dakota to Arthur Hertel and Ida Wolf. He was the second youngest of five children that included Herman Albert, Reuben Harry, Lucille Lorraine and Donna Marie.

They left the family farm in South Dakota and next moved to Portland, Oregon where he eventually met his wife Edith Lucille Estey. Two months later, they were married at the Peace Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon on Christmas Day 1954 while he was on leave. They were later sealed in the Los Angeles temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in January of 1958.

After the military, they made their home in Newark, Alameda County, California where they had five children consisting of Garry Craig, Alisa Dawn, Cynthia Lynn, Vanessa Joy, and Sara Ann. They moved to Utah in 1969 and settled their lives here. Twenty-one grandchildren and thirty-eight great grandchildren followed.

Gerhart joined the Air Force at the age of 17. He served as a mechanic in the Korean War. He also served in the National Guard. He helped build schools in Jamaica and many other service-oriented assignments around the world. He retired from the military after many years of service.

While in California he worked masonry and helped build the Oakland Temple. Then in Utah he served 16 years working in the Jordan River Temple. Later with his wife he served a work mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on a farm at Promontory Point, Utah. He was a great example of work and service throughout his life for his posterity and peers.

Growing up on a farm left him with a love for it his entire life. Even while living in California and Utah, he raised cows on land near his home. Everyone knows of his love of tractors as well as old cars. Another thing he seemed to enjoy is long road trips, especially when they took him back to his roots and family that were far from home.

One thing about Gary that never faded was his sense of humor. Every one of his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and others that came into his life seemed to have a special relationship with him because he could make them smile and laugh. Even in the hospital when he didn’t like the nurses bothering him, he told them they should “make like a tree.” They didn’t understand and asked if he wanted them to bark? And he said, “No. LEAVE.”

With his passing he will be greatly missed, but he built a large legacy of love and laughter. He lived a full and wonderful life and will wait patiently with love until he can meet his wife and posterity once more.

Gary is survived by his loving wife E. Lucille Hertel, His children Garry Craig Hertel (Alberta), Alisa Dawn Mellen (Michael), Cynthia Lynn Wilkinson (Richard), Vanessa Hertel and Sara Ostberg, 19 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren. His brother Rueben Harry Hertel (Helen) of Talent, Oregon, sister-in-law Maxine Hertel of Portland, Oregon, brother-in-law Richard Wedding of Portland, Oregon and 15 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Art and Ida Hertel, siblings Herman, Lucille and Donna, grandchildren Crystal and Robby and great grandchildren Kiada and Aurora Rose.

Services will be held Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 3963 Peachwood Dr. West Valley City, Utah. The family will receive friends the same day at 10:00 a.m. preceding the service and Tuesday evening October 16 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Valley View Funeral Home. Interment will be held at Valley View Memorial Park 4335 W. 4100 S. in West Valley City, Utah 84120 following the service on Wednesday.