Eleanor Hertz

HERTZ ELEANOR

Eleanor Hertz passed away at the Menno-Olivet Care Center on January 23, 2025, at the age of 96 years, six months, and 19 days. Services for Eleanor will be held at 11 a.m. on August 15, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church in Menno with Rev. Susan Fox officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. A private family committal service will take place at the Menno Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.okfhc.com . Livestreaming of Eleanor’s services can be viewed at https://server.attend.live/static/event/yP6Ww .

Eleanor Elizabeth Mehlhaf was born in Menno, South Dakota, on July 4, 1928. The third of four children born to Theodore and Emelia (Reiser) Mehlhaf, she was baptized and confirmed at Salem Reformed Church in Menno. In high school, she played the French horn, sang in the girls’ sextet, and participated in other activities, including Pep Club/cheerleading and theater.

After graduating in 1946, Eleanor worked at the Hutchinson County Courthouse for a year before a short stint at the University of South Dakota. Around that time, Ernest W. Hertz, six years her senior, swept her off her feet at a dance in Scotland, SD. They married in Menno on December 28, 1947. After Ernie finished law school, they settled in Menno to raise their family, where they were steadfast members of Grace Lutheran Church. Eleanor sang with the choir for decades.

Eleanor and Ernie welcomed four children: Barry (Susan), Barbara Naber, Michael, and Mary (Steve Scarbrough). Ernie was always cognizant of Eleanor’s dedication to her family and her behind-the-scenes support for his career – and he made sure their children appreciated this as well. Over time, eight cherished grandchildren were born: Alisa, Joseph, Geoffrey, and Sarah Hertz (Greg MacKay); Anndra Begay; Justine, Amelia, and Jenna Scarbrough; and seven great-grandchildren: Ella, Sophie, Jack, and William Hertz; Mariama and Awa Hertz; and Owen MacKay.

A young newlywed without much cooking experience, she learned on the job and created indelible food memories for her growing family, with savory dishes such as her fleischkuechle, dill pickles, käse knefpla, strudel, “punish” on blustery winter mornings, and her special chicken sandwiches at Chrismas. The holidays always included big batches of pfeffernüsse, cry baby and Santa sugar cookies, caramels, and other goodies.

When she wasn’t busy with family, she enjoyed bridge, bowling, coffee with friends, walking and biking, and crafts – particularly knitting. Many cozy winter evenings passed as she knitted afghans for her children and grandchildren, in addition to plenty of sweaters, mittens, scarves, and hats.

As the kids grew, vacations consisted of car trips to the West Coast to visit family. Later, Eleanor and Ernie both looked forward to his judges’ conventions in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and North Dakota, as well as an unforgettable trip to Alaska. They also enjoyed traveling with her siblings and spouses, whether to Hawaii or Arizona or closer to home for fishing at Big Stone Lake.

Summer’s highpoint was Eleanor’s birthday on the Fourth of July, as family gathered to celebrate and enjoy the parade that passed by the family home. Chislic, crazy cake, Dairy Bar ice cream, a lengthy theatrical performance from several grandchildren, and, of course, fireworks, made for many a happy celebration.

A fall in March 2020 necessitated Eleanor’s move from her home of half a century. Even as her memory faded, the certitude of her faith shone through; she loved singing beloved hymns and easily recalled their words and melodies.

The last of her generation for both the Mehlhaf and Hertz families, Eleanor was preceded in death by so many she held dear: her husband Ernie in 2013 and son Barry in 2022; her parents; siblings and their spouses: Milt (Jean) and Jack Mehlhaf and Rosie (Arnie) Dormaier; sister-in-law Berdelia Mehlhaf, all her sisters- and brothers-in-law on the Hertz side; and several nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful for the loving care she received at the Menno-Olivet Care Center in her final years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed the Menno-Olivet Care Center or to Grace Lutheran Church.

Eleanor demonstrated her faith and her devotion to her family through quiet and steady example. We will miss her forever even as we hold onto her profound love.