Baerg, Jacob G. (1872-1959)

sMennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Jun 4 p. 8

Birth date: 1872 Nov 4

text of obituary:

JACOB G. BAERG

Jacob G. Baerg was born Nov. 4, 1872, in South Russia. He came to America with his parents, Gerhard and Susanna (Wiens) Baerg, in 1875 and arrived in Mountain Lake, Minn. in the month of August.

His parents bought an eighty acre farm six miles north and one mile west of Bingham Lake. They made a dugout in which to live but were happy that they were in America. Here they began farming in a small way. It was here, too, that father received his early education.

In 1892 he was baptized upon confession of his faith by Elder Gerhard Neufeld, and became a member of the First Mennonite Church of Mt.Lake where he remained a faithful member until his death.

In 1893 he was married to Anna Penner, daughter of Gerhard and Anna (Falk) Penner. After their marriage they moved to his father-in-law's farm, which he later bought and farmed until 1935. On Aug. 10, 1933, mother died, causing him deep sorrow and much loneliness.

He remained with the children until 1939. In October he moved with his youngest daughter to Mountain Lake. On Jan. 30, 1956, he suffered a heart attack from which he never fully recovered, and on March 8 of that year he moved to the Eventide home.

In his early years father served his community as a member of the school board, the township board, and the elevator and creamery boards. He also served in the church as Sunday School teacher for many years.

On Sunday, May 17, 1959, he had hoped to be with his children as they were all gathered together to commemorate Pentecost. He knew that his strength was limited, however, and by noon he suffered another attack of pain in his chest. Death came suddenly in his own room and he went to his heavenly home at about 12:50 p.m. Father reached the age of 86 years, six months,and 13 days.

He leaves to mourn seven children: Jacob, David, Peter, Anna (Mrs. H. H. Harder), John, Sarah (Mrs. P. H. Harder), all of this community; and Susie (Mrs. Pete H. Epp) of Henderson, Neb., and sons-in-law and daughters-in-law. There are also 32 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. He leaves also one brother, Gerhard Baerg, of Laird, Sask., and two sisters, Mrs. John Goertzen of Alsen, North Dakota, and Mrs. D. H. Ewert of Bingham Lake. One son, Gerhard, preceded him in death on March 8, 1958. An infant son and daughter, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild also preceded him in death.

Funeral services were conducted in the First Mennonite Church of Mt. Lake, Minn. by Rev. Willard Wiebe with Rev. I. J. Dick assisting. Interment was at the First Mennonite Cemetery north of Butterfield, Minn.

The Mennonite obituary: 1959 Jun 2 p. 351