Henry Baertsch

Henry Harold Baertsch, 90, of Polson, MT, passed away on Sunday, August 1, 2010 at the Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center of natural causes. Henry was born on March 21, 1920 in Somers, MT to Andrew and Laura Hume Baertsch. His parents separated when Henry was a baby and he lived with his mother in Kalispell until the age of 10 when he then went to live with his father, who was a homesteader near Lonepine, MT. Henry attended Lonepine School, where he graduated from eighth grade and attended two years of high school. When Henry was 21, he left Lonepine and lived in Missoula and then Stevensville where he worked on farms. He lived in Plains briefly before settling in Paradise. After working at various part-time jobs, he was hired by Northern Pacific Railroad, where he worked for 33 years before retiring in 1980. After retiring, Henry moved to Plains where he resided until October of 2003. He then moved to the Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center. Henry enjoyed collecting, and at one time had an extensive collection of bells, plus other small miscellaneous collections. He was an avid gardener and a word search puzzle fan. He was also a frequent attendee at the annual Lonepine School Alumni Association Banquet. Henry was preceded in death by an older brother, Arthur, both of his parents, and one half-sister, Helen. He is survived by two half-sisters, Susie and Myrtle, and four half-brothers, James Robert, Charles, and Billy. He is also survived by first cousins Oscar & Loyal 'Buck' Baertsch of Polson, MT., John Baertsch of Helena, Mercedes LeDesky of Kalispell, Lillian LeDesky of Great Falls, MT., & Milton Weimer of Minnesota City, Minn. Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be at Conrad Memorial Cemetery, Kalispell. At Henry's request, no memorial services will be held. Memorials may be made in Henry's name to the John C. McCoy Scholarship Fund, c/o Alan McCoy, PO Box 8, Lonepine, MT 59848. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, is honored to assist Mr. Baertsch's family.
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