Delilah Viola Hert

Delilah Viola (Schindler) Hert, 96, of Hardin, passed away at Big Horn Hospital Long Term Care on November 13, 2025. She was born in Denhoff, North Dakota, on February 28, 1929, during the Great Depression, to Edward and Caroline (Vietz) Schindler. When Delilah was ten, the family moved to the Hardin area, where they farmed.

In 1942, she moved with her family to Lodi, California, where she worked alongside her mother in a laundry. Delilah loved California and often said she wished she could have stayed when the family later returned to Montana.

Like many young adults of her generation, she left school early and did not complete high school to help on the family farm. Later in life, inspired by her son Les, she took coursework and earned her high school equivalent diploma—an accomplishment she was very proud of.

Delilah met and married the love of her life on November 6, 1945, and together they shared 70 years of marriage. They farmed in the North Valley for more than 20 years before moving to Hardin. She was a long-time member of the Sunshine Club and participated in TOPS for over 35 years.

She was the epitome of a homemaker of her era—an excellent seamstress and cook who made every meal from scratch. At Christmas, her family looked forward to her special assortment of homemade cookies and candies, crafted with love just for them. Delilah enjoyed researching family history, bowling, gardening, fishing, and spending time with those she loved. The Hert family became her family, and some of the most important friendships of her life were with her sisters-in-law.

Delilah is survived by her daughters, Carolyn Jarrett of Bellingham, WA, and Sharon Small of Hardin; her grandchildren Krista (Jim) Deming, Holly Jarrett (Hale Hardt), Steven (Chelsee) Small, Shiloh Small, Shannon (Kaylene) Small, and Stacey Small; sixteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her special niece, Ila Norrie of San Andreas, CA; special nephews Steve and Jeff Schindler of Hardin; and her dear friends, Loretta Flack and Gladys Herman.

Delilah is preceded in death by her husband Elmer, son Leslie, mother and father Ed and Carrie Schindler, sister Alice Wardrip, brothers Alan and Lloyd Schindler, Elmer’s parents, Gottlieb and Pauline Hert, Elmer’s siblings and spouses.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the Big Horn Hospital Long Term Care staff for their compassionate care during her final months.

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