Karl Mansfield Hertz, 62, Malvern

    Karl Mansfield Hertz, age 62, passed away on April 16, 2010, at his home in Malvern.  Private funeral services were held Thursday, April 22, 2010, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Hastings, with burial at the Malvern Cemetery.  Visitation with family present was held, Wednesday, April 21, 2010, from noon to 9 p.m.

    One of three sons of Clayton Leon “Bud” Hertz, Jr. and Lenore Ellen (Mansfield) Hertz, he was born June 14, 1947, in Pomona, Calif. The following year, the family returned to Malvern, where he grew up and graduated from Malvern High School in 1965.  He attended Clarinda Community College and in 1968, graduated from the California College of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles. He returned home to Malvern to join his parents at the Mansfield Funeral Home along with their monument business and their ambulance service.

    On Jan. 10, 1970, Karl and Teresa “Terry” Laray Jones were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Hastings.  They made their home in Malvern and were blessed with three sons, Karl Edward “K.E.,” Keith Eugene, and Kent Eric.

    In 1986, Karl and Terry expanded their business by purchasing the McKee Funeral Home in Carson, and in 2003, the Raynor-Hardiman Funeral Home in Glenwood. In 1997, their son, K.E, joined them in the family business.

    Mr. Hertz loved and served his Malvern community, volunteering endless hours to the many programs and projects towards promoting “a better place in which to live.” His dream of “bettering Malvern” did not have borders, as he was also active in the surrounding communities.

    He served as president of the Malvern Commercial Club and the Malvern Rotary.  As these organizations combined into the Malvern Area Betterment Association (MABA), he continued to be engaged with the activities.  Recently, he helped secure funds to purchase and restore a tram for special events.

    In 1971, he saw the need for more advanced health care and became a charter member of Malvern Volunteer Rescue. By 1976, he had become the first volunteer licensed paramedic in Iowa.  Through 2000, he had responded to 1,755 documented calls and had served as Chief of the Malvern Volunteer Rescue Unit for 29 years. He continued to respond on calls, help and mentor, and in 2009, was honored as the “Malvern EMT of the Year.” He was one of the main forces in implementing the emergency dispatch communication system in eastern Mills County. Mr. Hertz was a 40-year member of the Malvern Volunteer Fire Department, and served on the Board of Directors of the Midland EMS Council and the Mills County Board of Health.

    He was a 20-year member and past president of the Malvern Park Board.  Among other civic projects, he had an active role in the construction of the Malvern Swimming pool.  He served three terms as Mayor of Malvern and spearheaded the downtown renovation project.

    Auto pushball, pioneered by the previous generation of the Dutch Gun Club, was one of his favorite yearly events.  This was a legacy he enjoyed watching his sons grow up with and eventually participate in.  As the 4th of July rolled around each year, he could be found entrenched in the planning and organizing of the Celebration events.

    He was a 40-year member of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association, past treasurer of the association, and had been currently serving as Iowa District Four Governor.

    In January 2010, Karl and Terry celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Later that month, Karl suffered a heart attack. He enjoyed traveling with his family and friends, and loved being with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and a great friend to many.

    Mr. Hertz was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Lenore Hertz; uncles, R. D. “Butch” Mansfield and Howard Hertz; and father-in-law, Orlo R. Jones. He is survived by his wife Terry Hertz of Malvern; sons, Karl “K.E.” Hertz and wife Teresa of Glenwood; Keith Hertz and wife Krista of Lahaina, Hawaii; and Kent Hertz of Los Angeles, Calif.; grandchildren, Jakob, Megan, Kiley, Hudson, and Naiya Hertz; brothers, Clayton “Bud” Hertz and wife Ella of Claremont, Calif.; and Kevin Hertz and wife Marcie of Ocheyedan; mother-in-law Lola Jones of Malvern; aunts, Bonnie Mansfield of Malvern, and Barbara (Hertz) Yehle and husband Bob of Laverne, Calif.; great aunt Edna Hertz of Claremont; brothers-in-law, Orlo “Woody” Jones and wife Barb; Greg Jones and wife Cheryl, all of Malvern; and Rick Jones of Omaha; sisters-in-law, Tam VanDerVeer and husband Jim of Knoxville; and Elaine Jones of Cedar Rapids; nieces, nephews and cousins; numerous other relatives; and a host of friends.

    A memorial fund has been established.  Mansfield-Hertz Funeral Home of Malvern was in charge of arrangements.