Twylah Hertz

Twylah Ruth (Fair) Hertz was born to Frank Fair, Sr., and Helena (Mettler) Fair in her parents’ home in Weber, Kansas  Oct. 3, 1930.  She joined an older brother, Frank, and older sister, IdaMae.  She was followed by brother, Walter.  Growing up she lived in Kansas and then in Menno, S.D. 

On Sept. 14, 1954, she married Leo Hertz and after he completed law school in Vermillion, S.D., they moved their two young sons to Armour, S.D., to start his law practice. In Armour their daughter was born and completed their family. 

They lived in Armour until 2016 when Twylah moved to Hill City, S.D.  

Twylah will be remembered for her quick wit, her love and knowledge of politics and current events and her wonderful ability to paint with oils. She was a voracious reader and although legally blind near the end of her life she continued to listen to hundreds of books on tape.  

She could argue politics with virtually anyone and was mentally sharp until the very end of her life. She lived through world events that the rest of us will read about in history books. She was strong-willed, determined and self-sufficient until the very end.

Twylah died Nov. 9, 2023, at her home in Hill City at the age of 93 years and one month.   

When you live to be 93 there are many who will proceed you in death.  Those in her immediate family were her husband, Leo Hertz; brother, Frank Fair; sister, Ida Mae Chance; her son, Roger Hertz; his wife, Karen; and granddaughter, Kristin Krull.   

Twylah is survived by her son, Dan (Ginger) Hertz (Ginger) of Armour; daughter, Kim (Dennis) Krull of  Hill City; six grandchildren, Jesse (Melissa) Hertz of Rapid City, S.D., Terri (David)  Fields of Hill City, Danielle (Eric) Lind  of Hill City, Alexis (Scott) Ferguson of Hill City, Sarah (Dustin) Belden of Elk Point, S.D., and James (Brittany) of Crooks, S.D.; and great-grandchildren; Noah Krull, (fiancée Faith Yeargan) Olivia Krull, Elijah Mercy, Zane Messick, Ezekiel Lind, Paizley Lind, Corbin Ferguson, Twylah Ferguson, Grant Ferguson, Sophie Hertz, Elizabeth Hertz, Lennon Fields, Hunter Belden and Easton Beldon

A memorial to celebrate her life was Nov. 11 at Chamberlain-McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer, S.D.  Burial service was at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Armour Wednesday, Nov. 15.

Memorials can be sent to Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, PO Box 232, Armour, SD 57313 or any organization or charity of your choosing. 

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer.