Gertrude Violet (Hirsch) Fisher, (Gertie/Gert) Age 93, passed away on April 30, 2025 at the BeeHive Home-North Assisted Living in Helena MT.   Gertie was born during the Great Depression on April 18, 1932, at Crow Rock, MT to Jacob and Anna (Redman) Hirsch.  She was the ninth child of ten children.  The family moved to Miles City in 1937 where Gertie attended school through 1949.  On September 10, 1949, she and James (Jim) Herzog were married.  To this union were born two children, Marlys "Pixie" in 1950 and Donald "Donnie" in 1952.  The marriage later dissolved leaving Gertie a single mother until she met and married Robert (Bob) Fisher on September 9, 1964.

Gert was never afraid of hard work.  When her children were young, she and friend, Freda Turley, ran a small bakery on Main Street called the Spudnut Shop.  She also worked in food service at the U.S. Air Force Radar Base and then spent several years working at the Miles City Steam Laundry.  In the late 70s she and her close friend, Rosa Ibarra owned the Big Sky Cleaners for seven years.   Gertie then worked managing the busy food deli at the new K-Mart store.   For fifteen years, she did what she did BEST - serving food, greeting people and making them feel welcome.  A turn for the worse came in June of 1990.  While at work, Gertie sustained third degree burns when the hot oil from the fryer spilled on her upper legs.  The healing process was long, extremely painful and very disabling.  Gert was always thankful for the support that she got from her brothers and sisters all of her life.

Gert and Bob's thirty six years together were spent on their place in the Yellowstone Valley where they grew corn and ran a feedlot where they fed cattle and sheep.  In addition to cooking and serving the public, Gertie's culinary skills were so great that she would be up early everyday and prepare meals at the farmhouse for Bob and the "feedlot crew" to eat in her absence.  One of the men wrote in her 80th birthday guestbook that "he liked to work weekends at the feedlot just to eat Gertie's "holiday-like" meals"!

The feedlot, now inactive, was sold and Gertie moved to the Anderson Apartments on Airport Hill.  This would be her cozy little home for the next twenty years.  With more time on her hands, Gertie began volunteering for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW, Post 1579).  Eventually she was elected as the Ladies' Auxiliary President, a position she held for many years.  Gert organized many meetings and loved attending the district conferences whenever it was possible.  Gertie loved the people who volunteered with her as they were passionate about providing a welcoming gathering place for the community's veterans and their families.  She recruited both ladies and men to work together in making Luncheon Services, Friday-Hamburger Nights, Sunday-Steak n Eggs Breakfasts, and Friday-Fish Fry Nights successful fundraising endeavors, while at the same time promoting the patriotic, charitable and educational spirit of the Auxiliary.    She and these close-knit volunteers also provided monthly visits to the VA home where they played BINGO and celebrated Birthdays with the residents.

Her enthusiasm kept her busy well into her late 80s until another unfortunate accident where her leg was crushed causing pressure wounds that eventually required surgery and a long time to heal.  This weakened her body and necessitated a move to be closer to her children in Central Montana.  In February of 2021 Gert moved into the Helena Assisted Living Facility where she was a popular and loved resident until her death in 2025.  Her children, Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren were blessed to be able to spend time with her these last four years.

Gert is preceded in death by her Parents, her Husband, Bob Fisher, her Sisters , Edna (Al) Schmidt, Hilda (Emil) Fiechtner, Martha (Boyd) Finch, Ruth (Park) Thomas, her Brothers , Edwin (Hilda) Hirsch, Alfred (Eunice) Hirsch, and Theodore (Ruth) Hirsch, Brother-In-Law, George Fields, Sister-in-Law, Marge Hirsch, special friend, Bud Gierke and several nieces and a nephew.

She is survived by her Sister, Ruby Fields (Covington, WA), her Brother, Elmer Hirsch (Billings, MT), her Children, Marlys (Dan) Healy (Bozeman, MT), Donald (Patty) Herzog (Helena, MT), Step-children, Barbara (Ted) Manor (Burton, MI), and Bill (Candi) Fisher (Santa Rosa, CA), Grandchildren, Jay Healy (Moab, UT), Brad Herzog (Helena,  MT), Jen (Matt) Hoskins (Bozeman, MT), Brooke Herzog (Kerry) (Boise, ID), Jaylene Tennant (Helena, MT) and her Great-grandchildren, Kellen, Hayes, Peyson, and Vida, Goddaughter and niece, Donna Herzog (San Mateo, CA), Great-niece, Marlene Watt (Miles City, MT), Special nephew, Dennis (Meri) Hirsch (Miles City, MT), and many more nieces, nephews, Godchildren, and close friends.  Gertie loved ALL of you and she cherished the many cards, letters, phone calls and visits while she lived in Helena.

GG, You will always live within our hearts!

If so desired, in lieu of flowers a donation in Gert's memory may be sent to:

VFW Auxiliary Post 1579

Attn: Patty Hubble

119 N 6th St., Miles City, MT   59301