Thursday, October 20, 2016

Tag Rittel

It was said Tag's smile was as wide as the state of Montana, 

we will miss that smile. 


John F. “Tag” Rittel, passed away suddenly on October 19 at his home on the Blacktail Ranch while enjoying breakfast with his friend Dan Burggraff and his wife Sandra Renner. His heart unexpectedly chose to take Tag, a cowboy, author, storyteller, “bear man” and outfitter on to his next big adventure. Tag was born in Helena, September 15, 1929. He was raised on the family ranch on the South Fork of the Dearborn River. He attended South Fork School just a three mile horseback ride away with his sister, Marybelle. Tag entertained us all with his stories about school. He was the head of the Gremlin Club and with his friends: Gary Murphy, Pete Burggraff and Bruce Williams, he kept life interesting at the old school. One day they pulled stingers off of bees and put the bees in the teacher's desk while she was outside. They waited patiently for her return. She came back into the classroom and opened her drawer and was swarmed by bees. Chaos ensued. This was just one of their many shenanigans he reveled in telling tales about. It must have been a hard job to keep a teacher out at the Dearborn School.
 Tag finished his education at Helena High School in 1947, spending winters in town and summers back working at the ranch. After graduation Tag returned to the ranch to work full time raising cattle with his father and uncles. He took up hunting and trapping and started building muzzle loaders. He was an excellent shot with those black powder rifles and won many trophies over the years. He was a published writer of articles and books. If he had an interest, he would make it happen. Tag had a good life on the ranch, his passion for archaeology was piqued every day with the artifacts he collected at the ranch. One of his favorite stories was finding the cave with his friends. The cave was a constant fascination for him and over the years he would delight on every new discovery that was uncovered within those stony walls. In 1955, Tag met Lyla Karlson. They were married and had four children: John, Jeri, Lori and Eric. Eventually, his parents retired and he took over the ranch. After raising cattle for a few years, Tag turned his interest to his true passion of outfitting. Lyla and the kids all took part in the guest ranch and outfitting business. In the summers, Tag led his children and neighbor kids on many adventurous pack trips and camping trips throughout the area exploring lost trails and mountain tops. In the fall, he would pack up the mules with Mike Bay, John Rittel and Dude Smith and head to hunting camp in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and then later into his Lincoln Scapegoat camp. After Lyla died in 1982, Tag changed to outfitting at the ranch. He met and married his second wife, Sandra Renner. They built the lodge and cabins at the ranch. Tag spent time raising paint horses, entertaining guests with the stories of his adventures and teaching his grandkids to hunt, fish and ride and continued the story telling to them. Tag and Sandra spent many years running the guest ranch and traveling to their home in Ajo, Arizona in the winter. They met numerous new friends and acquaintances. Tag continued his archaeology hobby out searching the desert for artifacts, before returning to the ranch in the spring to raise his beloved paint horses.
 Tag is survived by his wife Sandra, his children, John Rittel III, Jeri Rittel, Lori Rittel, and Eric Rittel, his grandchildren, Corey Collins, Troy Ford, Kyle Ford, Jacqueline Malatare, Maggie Rittel, Will Rittel, Trew Rittel and Tag Rittel, and his great grandson Chase Collins, and many nieces & nephews, and his son-in law Mitch Lefebvre and Mitch’s family. He is preceded in death by his first wife Lyla Karlson, his parents Frank and Minnie Rittel and his sister Marybelle Rittel Smith.



We will be celebrating his life at the ranch on Sunday, October 23rd at 2:00 p.m. 
Join us if you can.





















The song is ended but the melody lingers on… –Irving Berlin

23 comments:

  1. Beautiful write up, his halo must be glowing a little brighter after reading it. I can hardly think of The Blacktail Ranch without him there. I'll miss your dad. Your friend Cathy Burggraff Walker

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  2. So beautiful Jeri! He will be dearly missed.

    Tammy

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  3. So hard for you to write I'm sure Jeri but job well done! Just beautiful! My heart breaks for all of you. Your family and The Blacktail Ranch holds such fond memories for me of my childhood. Peace be with you and your family.

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  4. What a beautiful tribute, nicely done Jeri. Hugs to you all!

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  5. May all the loving arms from Tags long life hold you all during this time. No words can fill the space left empty by his passing. Thinking of all of you.

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  6. Jeri, you did your Dad proud. Well done. Thinking of your family right now hoping all the precious memories you have give you comfort. Sending hugs and my sincere sympathies across the miles to you all.

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  7. Jeri, you did your Dad proud. Well done. Thinking of your family right now hoping all the precious memories you have give you comfort. Sending hugs and my sincere sympathies across the miles to you all.

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  8. My dad Tom Ulberg first introduced me to Tag when I was 5, and he showed us the cave I will never forget it, and think about it now then every so often.I looked up too Tag like my own father.He will surely be missed! HAPPY TRAILS TAG!!

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  9. What a wonderful tribute Jeri. I heard so many stories of Blacktail Ranch from my husband, Lou Briggs and we so enjoyed visiting the ranch in recent years. Lou and Tag trying to out do the other one with the hunting trip stories and the adventures of his School Teacher days at the ranch with you kids were so awesome. I lost him two years ago next week, so I know they are now sitting around the camp fire catching up on old times! Sincere sympathy to you and the family and I hope one day to get back there for a visit and see the beautiful Paint horses Tag so loved.

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  10. I had the honor of interviewing Tag a few years back for a news story in the IR. We drove away laughing! He had so many wonderful stories to tell. Happy trails, Tag.

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  11. Big hole in my heart hearing the news of Tag's riding into the sunset. I will miss him dearly. Yes, Happy Trails Tag.

    Gregory Furse

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  12. Rest in peace Great Uncle. Thanks for having us at your ranch in the 1980's so we could ride and meet all of our cousins. Wish we could've seen you one more time. Love Erica Forrest (Carlson family from Alberta)

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  13. I will always have great memories of spending time at the ranch with all the family, especially fishing with my Dad. RIP Tag. Jessica Warren Saelua

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  14. Like Jessica, I remember spending time at the ranch during the summers. Tag was such a kind soul with a warm heart. You will be missed! Beautiful tribute Jeri! Tina Weaver Drain

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  15. I just met Tag over one long weekend, but he was a legend. I'd heard of the cave & what a character he was through the years at Latigo & Lace in Augusta, and finally got to find out for myself when the Montana Painters' Alliance converged on the ranch for one of their "paint outs." We all loved the museum, the cave, and swarming over the beautiful ranch finding the perfect scene to paint -- & it was all brought to life by Tag's stories. I'm so glad he had such a long life that he shared so joyfully with others, and that I got to meet him before he rode over that last hill. You wrote a beautiful tribute, Jeri. Rest in Peace, Tag.

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  16. Tag; I so enjoyed our visits comparing our life's experiences. I admired your adventurous and inquisitive spirit; your unique discoveries and special skills and your smile. Peace brother! John

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  17. To Sandra and family:
    Tag's Montana smile was contagious in Ajo, Arizona. Always open for conversation, time with friends,a step around the dance floor, and many a tale shared. Tag showed us how to age with grace and humor, not succumbing to physical limitations. Driving in the desert in his 4x4, Sandra and the dog riding shotgun, life was good and he was good at life. Thanks Tag, thanks for the happy memories. Hope

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  18. Tag was a true Montana gentleman. Tag like my father had the ability to tell storys so vividly it almost made you feel as if you were there. Few men are legends before they pass, Tag was one of those men. He will be greatly missed.

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  19. Tag was a true Montana gentleman. Tag like my father had the ability to tell storys so vividly it almost made you feel as if you were there. Few men are legends before they pass, Tag was one of those men. He will be greatly missed.

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  20. When I was very young, Tag would come to Great Falls to meet with my sister, Darlene Hicks..usually on a Sunday and he'd take me along for a Dairy Queen ice cream cone on W. Central in Great Falls. I've loved him ever since!! Sorry about the news, but he and his Mom and Dad were a true joy.

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  21. I remember my mother, Georgeanna Eckert, talking about her best freind, Lyla and Lyla's husband, Tag. I remember meeting Lyla When I was a little girl and remember how beautiful she was. The stories about Tags adventures were told often even in Alberta then here in Alaska and I could imagine the ranch and Tag in my mind as if I had read a great novel! It s sad that Tag passed from you all, but he sure is a man, though I never met him, that will live on in the stories and imaginations in many of us for a very long time to come! Hugs to you, Jeri, and your family! Thoughts and prayers as we remember...

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  22. Wow, thank you everyone for sharing your stories, love and support. We will cherish them and you always.

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  23. I am so sorry to hear of Tag's passing! :( My Dad (Bill Haggin) thought the world of him and his friendship. As a young girl I had many many fun times going to the ranch with my Dad. It was so beautiful and Tag was so fun to listen to. His stories were fascinating and he and his wife Lyla were always so welcoming. My Dad has sinced passed away also....but I know he'd be heartbroken to know of Tag's passing... Maybe they are both shooting the "BS" again somewhere in the beautiful mountains of an afterlife! :) ♥

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