Lena Eitzen

The family will be designating memorials to the Mennonite Mission Network, and Grace University in Omaha, NE. Lena Baerg was born June 18, 1923, to Henry G. and Elisabeth (Rahn) Baerg, in the Lustre community of Valley County, Montana. She received her education at country schools near her home in Montanna, the Mountain Lake High School, and she graduated from the Freeman High School. She continued her education at Freeman Junior College in Freeman, SD. On September 5, 1943, Lena married Alvin D. Eitzen in the Bethel Lustre Mennonite Church in Frazer, Mont. Following their marriage, they lived and farmed in Mountain Lake for one year but for the next 36 years they lived and farmed in the Lustre community in Montana. Lena served in Sunday school, in the Mission Society of the church and with music. She was also involved in the women's activities of the former Northern District Mennonite Conference and General Conference Mennonite Church. In April 1981, Lena and Alvin retired and moved to Mountain Lake, Minn., where they continued to be actively involved in church and community life. Alvin preceded her in death on Dec. 3, 2004. In December 2006, Lena's family moved her to Presbyterian Manor in Newton, due to her advancing Alzheimer's disease. Lena died on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at Presbyterian Manor at the age of 85 years. Lena is survived by her children Howard Eitzen of Great Falls, MT; Erwin Rempel and his wife Angela of Newton, KS; Norman Rempel and his wife Elizabeth of Fresno, CA; and Barbara Rempel Busenitz and her husband Elwin of Elbing, KS; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Alvin Eitzen; three sisters Susie Baerg, Anna Baerg and Elisabeth Kliewer; and three brothers Ruben, Arthur, and Clarence Baerg.