Arthur Curtis Hertz was born September 17, 1930 at the family home northeast of Fairfax, SD. He lived in the same house his entire life. He died peacefully at the Gregory Hospital on December 25, 2018 at the age of 88.

Art graduated from Fairfax High School in that famous class of 1948. Art worked with his father, Curtis, on the Hertz  Ranch.  He married Clarice L. Smikle on August 7, 1949. Over the years, Art & Clarice expanded the farm into a well-known ranch, raising a large variety of livestock and crops.  He was named state "Outstanding Young Farmer" in 1962.  .

Art was an innovator: one of the first persons in the area to cut and feed silage, build dams,  AI (artificially inseminating) cattle, own a big round bailer, install rural water to his pastures, purchase a Russian tractor (In the height of the cold war! He was a peacemaker).  In 1990, he completed an "earth-sheltered" shop and glad to give anyone a full day's tour of his shop. (According to Arts computer satellite sources it was only one in the world!)

He was a member and served on the board of the United Church of Christ in Fairfax where he was baptized, confirmed and married.  Art promoted economic development by organizing and being a charter member of the South Dakota Great Lakes Association; serving as President in 1991 and 1992, was elected Gregory County Commissioner for 16 years from 1989 to 2004; also served as Chairman.  He was President of the State Simmental Association and Fairfax School Board.

From 1965 to 1971 Art and Clarice hosted guests on their "working vacation ranch" from all over the world.  Their guests were educated in all aspects of agriculture.  In turn, their children were exposed to "city life" through their guests. He always had a $10 tour of the ranch, but it was really free of charge, all you had to do was listen!

Art designed and built a rock crusher which he operated from 1970 until 2017.  He enjoyed blowing things up (mostly rock but a side by side UTV and houseboat were collateral damage!) and fixing the things he broke.  Art also ran and built various pieces of construction equipment (OSHA APPROVED??)  He used them to push snow, dig basements, install water lines, cut trees or whatever needed to be done. He would always be super excited to have a big blizzard so he could use his equipment to clear a path to town for all the neighbors.

Art truly lived a life full of love, fun and excitement. He always had time for his family and made sure they got some river time in his 1959 Boat. Work hard and play hard was his motto.  He made sure the family got a vacation each and every year no matter how broke they were. His many, many, many entertaining and sometimes quite long stories were always a treat. Everybody that knew Art could agree that he will always be remembered as a man who can put a smile on anybody's face.

Art was preceded in death by his wife Clarice (Smikle) Hertz, Mother Ida (Huber) Hertz Halverson, Father Curtis Hertz and son Bradley Hertz (1954-1967)

Art & Clarice have 4 children; Audrey (Robert) Jackson, Timberlake, SD: Kathy (John) Divine, Bonesteel, SD:  Marilee (Doug Janousek Fairfax, SD) and David (Amy) Hertz Vermillion, SD.  They currently have 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.  Sharing his life are sister Marge Halverson, Rapid City, SD and brother Leslie (Kathy) Hertz, Sioux Falls SD.

Funeral services will be held on Monday , December 31, 2018 at 10:30 AM at the Fairfax City Hall in Fairfax, SD.  Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery, Fairfax.  Visitation will be Sunday from 6:30 - 7:30 PM, with a 7:30 PM prayer service, at the hall.  Please bring your favorite picture of Art for the family to share.