John H. Baertsch, at the young age of 94, passed away peacefully from natural causes Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Helena. John was born on March 20, 1918, in Kalispell to Oscar and Bertha Rowe Baertsch and raised on the family homestead in Proctor. He attended school in Proctor and Kalispell.
On May 10, 1941, he married Myrtle Colar of Marysville, and they were happily married for 51 years before she passed away.
John was an army veteran of WWII who proudly served his country in the South Pacific. Upon discharge from the service, he returned to Helena and worked various jobs around the area. His primary occupation was head maintenance supervisor for the Helena Housing Authority. John retired from the Housing Authority in 1980 and fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a full-time farmer in the Helena Valley.
John looked forward to haying season and riding his “BIG RED TRACTOR.” However, there was nothing like a John Deere and a good looking horse! In John ’s younger years, he enjoyed participating in O-Mok-See’s. Sitting in the grandstand to watch rodeos, horseracing and attending auctions were among some of his favorite pastimes.
Family gatherings and visiting with friends brought out his great storytelling ability and impeccable memory, and, of course, the addition of a few colorful words for emphasis along the way always brought a smile and a laugh to everyone’s face. John was an avid reader of books as well as the daily newspaper, which kept him abreast of local and worldwide happenings, which were important to him.
John was one of the original founders and a member of the East Valley Fire Department. He was a lifetime member of the Helena Trail Riders and served as a board member of the Community Center.
John’s survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Ron Opitz of Helena; grandson, Scott, and his wife, Kelli Opitz, and great-granddaughters, Bailey and Shelby Opitz, all of Livingston; grandson, Chad, and his wife, Angie Opitz, and great-grandsons, Hayden and Derek of Helena; son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Kathy Baertsch, of Helena; grandson, Brad Baertsch, of Los Angeles; and his granddaughter, Stephanie Baertsch, of DesMoines, Wash. Surviving siblings are Oscar Baertsch, Buck and his wife, Dorothy Baertsch, all of Polson, and Lillian LeDesky of Great Falls, as well as many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle; his parents; brothers, Ralph and Bill Baertsch; and sister, Mercedes LeDesky.
Cremation has taken place, and abiding by John’s request, there will be no services. Interment has taken place at Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison.
The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Rosetta Assisted Living, who provided exceptional care for John. Should friends desire, memorials in John’s name may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice.
IT’S BEEN A GREAT RIDE!!!!
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Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Deb & Neal Lloyd says
Bill and Family, So sorry to hear about your dad. He was a great guy and will be missed by many! At least he had a very full life and you will have lots of memories of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Neal and Deb Lloyd
Shellie LaRocque says
My thoughts and prayers are with u all I loved your dad very much and think of you all often !
My deepest sympathies to you all!
Diana Kuhl-Howard says
My thoughts and prayers are with all of John’s family and friends. He was a great man. I remember John as the maintenance man at Stewart Homes. Just a little story about John:
When I was a little girl (about 9 or 10 maybe), I had given a female cat (Minnie) to this man, John Baertsch who lived in the valley or maybe even as far as Wolf Creek at the time. A year later the cat came back one evening when all of us neighborhood kids were sleeping outside. My brother and I couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw this cat (Minnie) walking up to all us kids. We took her inside the house and told our parents that Minnie had found her way back home from John’s. They were as shocked and excited as we were. Throughout the night she had kept our parents awake all night as she came home to have her kittens (7 of them.) I will never forget this as long as I live. I will always remember John Baertsch. He was such a nice hard working man. May he rest in peace. He too has found his way home at 94. I will miss him and will always remember him!
Joe Munzenrider says
Carol, I send you sympathies from all the Munzenriders. My thoughts are with you. Although life follows its natural course, it is very hard to adjust to being an ‘orphan.’ That was one of the most unsuspected experiences I had when Mom died. I wish you, Ron, and the entire family well. – Joe
Angela Ewing-Hyyppa says
May John join his beloved Myrtle and be happy again. I lived not far from them and they ALWAYS gave me the most donations for reading. I loved how they would welcome you into their home and were always kind. My prayers are with the family.
Mark & Annette Sharkey says
We will miss seeing John out on his swather and sitting out on the front porch. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss.