Baergen, John W. (1874-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Nov 7 p. 8

Birth date: 1874 Jul 26

text of obituary:

JOHN W. BAERGEN

John W. Baergen was born July 26, 1874, in South Russia, son of John and Susana [sic Aganetha] (Wiebe) Baergen. They later moved to Asia. In 1886 at the age of 12 years he and his parents, sisters and brothers sailed for the United States, settling near Inman, Kansas.

When just a short time in Kansas his father cut his knee while cutting hedge trees, got blood poisoning and passed away very suddenly. This left the step-mother with six children. She had to divide the four oldest children among other people. He was put in Cornelius Voth's home and attended the Sparta school. He had a very hard time, working and going to school. He was baptized in the Hoffnungsau church east of Inman, Kansas.

On April 1, 1900, he was united in marriage to Miss Marie Dyck of Buhler, Kansas. They settled five miles east of Buhler where he worked in a Blacksmith shop. In May 1926 they sold out and moved to Newport. Here he joined the Spring Valley Mennonite Church and remained a faithful member until our dear Lord called him to his heavenly Home.

On April 2, 1950, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. That same year, on Dec. 18, his wife was called away in death, which was very hard on him.

In 1951 our father became ill with a tumor in his bladder and steadily declined in health. On Feb. 28, 1957, he underwent major surgery from which he never fully recovered. On Sept. 29 at 11:30 a. m. he was called to his eternal Home.

One grandson and one great-grandson preceded him in death. He lived 83 years, two months and two days.

He is survived by six sons, John and Kurt of Spokane, Ben of Wenatchee, Abe, Paul and David of Newport; one daughter Mrs. Katherine Androes of Newport; 23 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; a half-sister and a half brother, Mrs. Jacob Unruh and Abe S. Bergen, both of Newton, Kansas.

Funeral services were held at the Spring Valley Mennonite Church near Newport, Wash. with Rev. Rudolph Schmidt and Rev. P. D. Unruh of Colfax giving word of comfort. A quartet consisting of Mrs. A. V. Krehbiel, Frank Hiebert and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hiebert sang at the service. Interment was made in the cemetery near the church.