Baerg, Cornelius Jacob (1894-1975)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1975 Oct 31 p. 30

Birth date: 1894 Feb 02

text of obituary:

CORNELIUS JACOB BAERG

Psalm 91 was one of Cornelius Jacob Baerg's favorite Psalms. He passed away in Clearbrook on August 20 after a lengthy illness.

Mr. Baerg was born February 2, 1894 in Elizabethal, South Russia. For seven years he attended school in Alexandertal, where the exemplary life and Christian teaching of the well-known teacher, Johann A. Toews, influenced him greatly. After school he helped on his father's farm until being conscripted in 1915 and sent to a lumber camp near Petrograd, where he served until October, 1917. On April 18, 1918 he married Elizabeth Wiebe in neighbouring Shardau. For over 57 years they shared each other's joys and sorrows.

The preaching ministry of Johann A. Toews led both of the Baergs to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ in June of 1925, and they were baptized and joined the Mennonite Brethren church in Alexandertal in June of that year. Later that same year they emigrated with their three children to Herbert, Saskatchewan. They farmed in Herbert, Coaldale, Alberta and Vauxhall, Alberta until retirement in 1960. In 1969 the Baergs moved to Clearbrook.

Funeral services for Mr. Baerg were held in the Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church on August 25. Pastor H. Lenzmann led the service and Rev. J. A. Toews gave a German message.

Mr. Baerg's family and many friends knew him as a peace-loving man who loved his Lord and dealt honestly with his fellow man. Left to mourn, but not without hope, are his wife, Elizabeth, seven daughters, Mrs. N. J. (Ann) Thiessen, Mrs. Wayne (Betty) Shave, Mrs. Peter (Mary) Rempel, Mrs. David (Martha) Rempel, Mrs. Henry (Margaret) Rempel, Mrs. Neil (Laura) Klassen, and Mrs . Henry (Elfrieda) Traber, one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Daniel (Annie) Prochnau, the wife of his son Jacob who passed away in 1961, 32 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and one sister, (Mrs.) Anna Engbrecht of Manitoba.