Henry Baerg

Our wonderful husband, brother, and friend, passed into the arms of his loving heavenly Father on Thursday February 28, 2013 at the Good Samaritan Village in Mountain Lake, MN. He had attained the age of 88 years, 7 months, and 12 days. Henry was born July 16, 1924 to Jacob J. and Maria (Penner) Baerg of Butterfield, MN. He was the oldest of 8 children. He was baptized on October 13, 1940, upon confession of his faith at North Butterfield Church then transferred his membership on April 8, 1971 to Cornerstone Bible Church (previously Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church) in Mt. Lake. Henry was an avid reader throughout his whole life. Reading and learning were a part of who Henry was. He had done so well in his classes that his teacher suggested that he skip 3rd grade going directly from 2nd to 4th grade in district 30. He graduated from Mt. Lake High School in 1943. In 1949 he finished a four year degree from Goshen College in Goshen, IN. Henry had pursued the dream of medical school, but his limited eye sight prevented the fulfillment of that dream. Henry worked as a bricklayer for Buhler Construction Company of Butterfield, MN from 1952-1962. Volunteering to help others was a large part of Henry''s personality. He used his construction skill on work projects in Cuba in 1953, and again in Haiti in 1963. Henry''s dad Jacob J. Baerg retired from farming in 1962. Henry took on the family farm operation from 1962-1980. In 1981, Henry moved into Butterfield where he helped cared for his Dad and Mom. He worked for Heinrichs Lumber Company of Delft until his retirement. Life was not yet done with Henry. He traveled to Japan where he found someone with whom to share his life. He was united in marriage to Martha Classen on May 5, 1989 in Christian Academy Chapel in Higashi Kurume, Japan. They were married for 24 years. Henry and Martha served as missionaries with SEND International for 7 years, serving the Japanese people from 1988-1996. Upon retirement they made their home in Mountain Lake, MN. Their ties with the land of japan were not yet finished. Many were the times that they opened their doors to friends from Japan who were traveling in the U. S. They formed friendships with Mankato State University Japanese international students who were seeking a touch of home so many miles from their own home in Japan. Henry enjoyed photography, gardening, oil painting, craft works, woodworking, and volunteering. He also enjoyed traveling as he had been to 8 foreign countries, and most of the 50 states in the U.S. If words could describe Henry, two words come to mind quickly; they are generous and caring. We have been blessed to have known him. Henry is survived by his wife Marth Baerg of Mt. Lake, MN, sisters Anna (Clifford) Koehn of Geary, OK, Mathilda (Dewayne) Erickson of Owatonna, MN; brothers, Jacob (Millie) Baerg of Ramsey, MN, David (Gail) Baerg of Brooklyn Park, MN, Art (Rose) Baerg of Butterfield, MN, Paul (Corina) Baerg of Alamo, TX (winter) Butterfield (summer); brother-in-law Alberty Oeltjenbruns of Bingham Lake, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Marie Oeltjenbruns. Second Visitation 9:30 am - 10:30 am Monday, March 4, 2013 Cornerstone Bible Church 1019 Prince Street Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Service Information 10:30 am Monday, March 4, 2013 Cornerstone Bible Church 1019 Prince Street Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Interment Information First Mennonite Cemetery-Butterfield 65401 320th St. Butterfield, Minnesota, United States 56120