Ralph Ertz, 84

On April 14, Ralph Ertz Sr. went to be with Jesus, and his wife LaVonne.

Ralph lived an adventurous life as an Alaska registered big game guide, and commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay, Alaska. He was a bush pilot, flying highly modified Super Cub airplanes on wheels, skis, and floats. In Montana, he and LaVonne ran a 100-mile long trap line, and continued to trap after relocating to Alaska. He also loved hunting! He was the first archer to place a "grand slam" of all five species of North American deer in the Pope & Young archery record book, taken with his bow. He also shot an Alaskan brown bear with his bow that ranked seventh in the Pope & Young record book. He was honored by noted archer Fred Bear for that trophy, in the 1970s. He also built homes in Anchorage, and drove a bus from Anchorage to Valdez transporting Alyeska pipeline workers. In high school, Ralph was the Montana State Champion wrestler in his weight class two years running, also winning the "Outstanding Wrestler" of the State Tournament his Senior year — earning him a four-year wrestling scholarship to Montana State University. Ralph loved the Lord, and assisted Lavonne's church ministry to Cambodian immigrant children by bringing them to Sunday School in an old school bus. He and LaVonne also took those children on adventures hiking, fishing, or camping after church or on Saturdays. They wanted show them God's love! Ralph enjoyed making hand-built wooden stools for his grandkids and rocking the new great-grand babies. He regularly took his grandkids for "duck burgers" (McDonalds) on Saturdays. Even as adults, his grandkids would call and ask him if it was "duckburger" day! Ralph was fond of his black Lab retrievers, of which he had many over the years. His most recent Lab he named Bolivar; Ralph's nickname as a child.

Ralph is survived by his daughter Tamie (Dan) Hollingsworth of Anchorage; his son Ralph Ertz Jr. (Tami) of Bigfork; and daughter Lonita Wainwright Fisher of Georgia. He currently has nine grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. His favorite saying about his faith was "I serve a God of second chances."

He is now reunited with his wife LaVonne (and numerous black Labs) but will be greatly missed by friends and family.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 12, at 1 p.m. at Hillside Church, 5685 Highway 93 S., Whitefish, MT. Contact ralphertzjr@gmail.com for more info.