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CPL Ralph John Hartse

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CPL Ralph John Hartse

Birth	:	15 Jun 1924 Wibaux, Wibaux County, Montana, USA
Death	:	22 Jul 2018 Miles City, Custer County, Montana, USA
Burial	:	Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Miles City, Custer County, USA
Coordinate	:	46.3807564, -105.8246536
Plot	:	Block B Row 13 Lot 4
Inscription	:	CPL US ARMY WORLD WAR II
Description	:	Ralph John Hartse, a longtime resident of Miles City, passed away on June 22, 2018. Ralph was born on his grandfather’s farm outside Wibaux, MT on June 15, 1924 to Roy Helmer and Marie Ann (Lawrence) Hartse. The family settled in Missoula where his mother died in 1938, and Ralph, along with his brother Russell, were raised by his father who worked as a brakeman on the Northern Pacific Railroad. He graduated in 1942 from Missoula County High School, and enrolled in the University of Montana for two months before entering the Army to join the... Read More	Ralph John Hartse, a longtime resident of Miles City, passed away on June 22, 2018. Ralph was born on his grandfather’s farm outside Wibaux, MT on June 15, 1924 to Roy Helmer and Marie Ann (Lawrence) Hartse. The family settled in Missoula where his mother died in 1938, and Ralph, along with his brother Russell, were raised by his father who worked as a brakeman on the Northern Pacific Railroad. He graduated in 1942 from Missoula County High School, and enrolled in the University of Montana for two months before entering the Army to join the 549th Army Air Force Band as a clarinetist. He served three years before being honorably discharged and returned to the University of Montana to continue his education on the GI Bill. Ralph graduated with a Bachelors of Music degree in music education with honors in 1948, and he received a Master of Music degree in 1950. Ralph met his future wife, Norma McKnight Daniels, while attending the University of Montana, and they married on March 7, 1947. They were married 63 years until her death on April 6, 2010. His first job was in Darby, MT where both he and Norma taught music. In 1949 they moved to Miles City where he was employed by Custer County High School (CCHS) as the Director of Bands and a history teacher for over 30 years until his retirement. Norma joined him in the music department in the late 1960’s as Custer’s Choral Director. The excellence of Ralph’s concert and marching bands was legendary not only in Miles City, but across the state and nationally. His concert bands consistently received Superior ratings in music festivals, and in 1964 his marching band received first place in the Portland Rose Parade. Many student soloists and small ensemble groups received Superior ratings at State Music Festivals. His students were selected following competitive tryouts to play in the All Northwest Bands and Orchestras, and many of his students continued to pursue careers in music education. In 1968 he was chosen for national recognition by The School Musician for the excellence of his work in music education. He also served as the Montana State Chairman of the American School Band Directors Association. Ralph was an accomplished clarinetist and tenor saxophone instrumentalist, and he was chosen to play in the national American School Band Masters Association Band. He and Norma also played in the Winds of Montana for many years. The Pep Band which performed at CCHS basketball games, wrestling matches, and other sporting events was a favorite among local residents and across the state. The Pep Band played twice to enthusiastic crowds at Kiwanis International Conventions in Denver. Besides his lifelong love of and accomplishments in music, Ralph had many other varied interests including stamp and coin collecting, gardening, model railroading, and history including the Civil War, World War II, and European history. In the late 1970’s he was the only educator in Montana to be chosen as a participant in a several week cultural enrichment program sponsored by Bennington College in New England. In retirement, Ralph continued to pursue his hobbies, and both he and Norma took great joy in spending time with their granddaughters. Survivors include Ralph’s children Kristyna M. Hartse of El Paso, TX; Marcus (Denise) R Hartse of Miles City; Paula (Roger) A. Hufford of Baker; and Lori L. Hartse of Las Vegas, NM, his brother Russell (Lois) L. Hartse of Missoula, and granddaughters Tiffany (Cole) Feisthamel of Bozeman and Tanis (Doug) Kelleher of Madison WI as well as several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 29, 2018 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the band program at Custer County District High School at the following address: CCDHS Band Fund, c/o Ralph Hartse, POB 1121, Miles City, MT 59301. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home Notice 06/23/2018 Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home Obituary 06/23/2018 ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Received below info on 08/11/2019 from Contributor: Jeanne S (47373121) Submitted by Jeanne Dahlin Swick - Class of 1963 Anyone who was ever fortunate enough to be a band member in Mr. Hartse's CCHS band will remember these Hartse'isms with a big smile of fondness and remembrance. He was inspirational. The quotes were taken from "The Caustic Quips of Ralph Hartse," printed by CCHS somewhere in the early 1960's, close to when I graduated in 1963. Each one inspired us all to try harder to perform with as much perfection as possible--and we were so very very proud of what we were able to accomplish under his direction. The accompanying cover sketch has been added it to this memorial's photos. "Quit sucking on your horns. Blow!" "We paid 80 bucks for those high steppers, drummers, get those feet up!" "It sounds like there's one leaky lung among ya." "Don't set up housekeeping on that note!" "What is this, amateur night in Podunk?" "You guys sound like a constipated mongoose." "Band dress. This means coats, trousers, black shoes, black socks, hats, plumes, plume cases if it rains. If you have to wear white socks, fine. Put black socks over them. If you don't have black shoes, get out some black shoe polish and paint 'em..." "You guys sound like you're slicing baloney. Whannnk!" "Basses, you sound like the Olympian Elk during mating season." "Clam up!" "Use both lips this time, trumpets." "Hey people, cut the crap!" "Get the clinkers out of there." "Cut the feet clomping, you sound like an Irish clog dance." "If ya can't play it by now--lay out!" "Drums, you sound like a peg-legged centipede." "Oboes, you sound like a berserk Bagpipe." "Basses, that sounds like a flight of B-17s over Berlin--tune it up. "Remember, you're representing Montana, Miles City, Custer, your parents and yourselves. I don't want any boys in the girls' rooms or any girls in the boys' rooms. I don't want any Roman Orgies going on. Do your own diddling in your own back yard." "Use both lips this time, trumpets" "They won't be thrilled with your very presence."

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is CPL Ralph John Hartse's memorial?
CPL Ralph John Hartse's memorial is located at: Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Miles City, Custer County, USA.
When did CPL Ralph John Hartse death?
CPL Ralph John Hartse death on 22 Jul 2018 in Miles City, Custer County, Montana, USA
Where are the coordinates of the CPL Ralph John Hartse's memorial?
Latitude: 46.3807564
Longitude: -105.8246536

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Norma McKnight Daniels Hartse

(1927 - 2010)

Siblings

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Miles City, Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.3807564, -105.8246536

2. Old Calvary Cemetery
Miles City, Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.3807600, -105.8246500

3. Calvary Cemetery
Miles City, Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.3816986, -105.8249969

4. Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.3891983, -105.8264008

5. Pine Hills School Cemetery
Miles City, Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.4077988, -105.8167038

6. Fort Keogh Cemetery
Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.3800011, -105.8874969

7. Pine Crest Cemetery
Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.4564018, -105.7789001

8. Hathaway Cemetery
Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 46.2616997, -106.2185974

9. Rosebud Cemetery
Rosebud, Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 46.2689018, -106.4381027

10. Powder River Supply Depot Cemetery
Terry, Prairie County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7302900, -105.4350800

11. Rock Springs Cemetery
Rock Springs, Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7847800, -106.1411500

12. MacKenzie Family Cemetery
Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.1569500, -105.1448000

13. Knowlton Cemetery
Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.3210983, -105.0710983

14. Prairie County Cemetery
Terry, Prairie County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7881012, -105.3443985

15. Little Flat Community Cemetery
Fallon, Prairie County, USA
Coordinate: 46.4598000, -105.0291700

16. Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 46.2689018, -106.6528015

17. Cottonwood Cemetery
Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.4294014, -104.9674988

18. North Stacey Cemetery
Powder River County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7569008, -105.8814011

19. Fallon Cemetery
Prairie County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8168983, -105.1327972

20. Little Flat Community Cemetery
Fallon, Prairie County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7659300, -105.0487600

21. Bean Cemetery
Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 45.8535995, -106.4011002

22. Lutheran Cemetery
Fallon, Prairie County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8320800, -105.1120100

23. Mildred Cemetery
Mildred, Prairie County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6850204, -104.9543457

24. Brown Cemetery
Colstrip, Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 45.8321991, -106.4180984