Herbert Herrboldt

Bayfield resident Herbert William Herrboldt died Sunday, April 6, 2014, at his home at Fox Fire Ranch. He was 89.
Known as “Herb,” he was born to Jake and Pauline Herrboldt on Aug. 10, 1924, on a farm in Rogers, Minn. The youngest of five and the only boy, he had to quit school in the seventh grade to help take care of the family. He never returned to school.
In June 1944, he joined the Army and was a paratrooper with the 110th, serving in the Rhineland and Central Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Herrboldt received several medals, including two Bronze Battle Stars. Upon his honorable discharge in April 1946, he returned to Minnesota.
In 1945, he married June Lindberg in Minnesota. The couple had three children together before she preceded him in death in 1977 after 32 years of marriage.
In Minnesota, Mr. Herrboldt and a partner owned a liquid cattle feed business in the Tri-State area, which included Wisconsin and Iowa. In 1968, he sold the partnership and moved to the 1,600-acre Fox Fire Ranch near Bayfield, ranching for 10 years.
After his wife’s death, Mr. Herrboldt sold the ranch and moved to Arizona for eight years, then decided to return to Colorado. He got back some of Fox Fire, selling 40-acre lots and retaining one for himself.
In 1992, he married Sherry Thomas at their home on the ranch.
“He put his heart and soul into our 40 acres,” she said, “doing all the rock work and everything.”
Mr. Herrboldt enjoyed making wooden butterflies and birdhouses, selling them at local markets, flea markets and the Bar-D Chuckwagon Suppers.
“Many of his butterflies are flying around the Four Corners,” his wife said. “He also loved country western dancing and the “Cotton-Eyed Joe.” He was the first one on the dance floor and the last one off.”
Mr. Herrboldt had flower and vegetable gardens every year. He enjoyed karaoke at the Durango Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4031, where his signature song was “Blue Suede Shoes,” always throwing in some hip moves. He also enjoyed a good highball and playing the slot machines at the Sky Ute Casino & Resort.
“Herb had a big heart, and was an all-around good person,” Mrs. Herrboldt said.
Mr. Herrboldt was also preceded in death by his daughter, Lynn Thompson, in 1986; and son Wade Herrboldt in 2005.
He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Sherry Herrboldt, of Bayfield; son Mike Herrboldt of Silver City, N.M.; stepdaughters Kim Hubbs of Grand Junction and Terri Fisher of Gig Harbor, Wash.; stepson, David Owens, of Grand Junction; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family members.
A memorial service will be held at noon Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at 600 Fox Fire Road, a quarter mile off U.S. Highway 160.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.