Arlyn Dean Baerg

Arlyn Dean Baerg, 55, of Delft, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2025, at his home, with his wife by his side.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the First Baptist Church in Windom and will continue on Thursday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at the church. Funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Windom, on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 11:00 am. Private family burial will be at the Delft Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Mountain Lake. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Arlyn was born August 27, 1969, to Allen and Tina (Guenther) Baerg in Mountain Lake. He graduated from Mountain Lake High School in 1988 and continued his education at the Vocational Technical College in Waseca. On August 5, 2017, he married his one true love, Shelly Soleta in Delft.

Arlyn was known for his compassionate spirit, extraordinary dependability, and an infectious passion for life. He loved nothing more than spending time with Shelly, Dodge and Faith, creating memories with friends and family, engaging warmly with strangers, effortlessly forming connections wherever he went.

Arlyn's warmth and kindness were matched only by his infectious smile and laughter. He loved making people laugh and putting a smile on your face.

He was a lifelong farmer who loved nothing more than working in the field. He took great pride in teaching his son how to be a farmer. Dodge learned quickly, even teaching Arlyn a few things along the way proving that Baerg Farms will continue for generations to come. This brought great comfort to Arlyn.

A lover of John Deere tractors, Arlyn turned his passion into a beloved hobby, collecting 2-cylinder models and sharing treasured trips with his father to purchase new additions to his collection. In fact, as of today, his collection has grown to over 40 tractors!

Above all, Arlyn loved his family. He married later in life and said his only regret was not finding Shelly and Dodge sooner. He spoke often and very proudly of his son, Dodge. He was a faithful man who knew exactly where he was going.

He was an avid lover of auctions. He often traveled near and far looking for a good deal. He was always searching online for the next tractor to add to his collection or one that he could turn around and sell to make a little money. In fact, he bought 3 tractors in the 2 weeks prior to his passing. He was able to make the 6 hour round trip drive with a great friend to bring one of the tractors home.

For the last 26 years, Arlyn hosted the Delft Furrow Makers Plowing Day event on the family farm. What started out as a way for 2 people with an old tractor and plow to relive the past, grew to over 50 tractors and plows in the later years. People came from near and far to enjoy a meal with friends, great conversation, their love of tractors and plowing, participate in plowing or simply to watch it all happen.

Arlyn is survived by his wife, Shelly; son, Dodge (Faith Freking) Byam; parents, Allen and Tina Baerg of Delft; sisters, Becky (Eric) Lundberg and Angela (Nick) Kelly; nephews, Zachery (Karlee Simmons) Lundberg, Devin Lundberg, Jack Kelly, and Connor Kelly; aunts and uncles, Bill Baerg, Coreen Baerg, Aaron (Linda) Guenther, Barb Wiebe, Frank (Liz) Guenther, Mary (Dennis) Letkeman, Ann (Randy) Fehr, John (Marilyn) Guenther, Marge (Curtis) Daniels, Henry (Carol) Guenther, John Klassen, and John Wiebe; parents-in-law, Lynn and Jan Soleta; brothers-in-law, Shane Soleta, Brett (Maria) Soleta, Jeff (Cari) Soleta; nieces, Ashley (Tays) Seyler, Olivia Grefe; nephew, Noah Soleta; great-nephew, Grady Seyler; and many cousins.

Arlyn was preceded in death by his grandparents, Abram and Susan Baerg and Jake and Tina Guenther; uncle, Bob Baerg; and aunt, Gertie Klassen.