M. Ilene Baertsch

POLSON — M. Ilene Baertsch, 86, of Polson died on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005, from natural causes at Evergreen Health & Rehab. Center. She was born June 3, 1919, at Columbia Falls, to Chester and Angie Conn Barnes. Ilene attended school through the eighth grade at Half Moon School at Columbia Falls, and then she had to quit school and work on the family farm.

Ilene married Oscar G. Baertsch in 1938. She was a homemaker and worked during the spring and fall at the A & W Drive-in for Newt and Emma Roberts during the 1960s. Ilene was active with the South Shore Garden Club and was active with the Rebekah Lodge.

Her hobbies included cooking, gardening, seamstress, and spending time with her grandkids. Ilene was a wonderful cook and loving mother, and many of her children's friends loved to come over and enjoy her meals.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Chester and Angie Barnes; brothers Gene Barnes, Lorin Barnes, and Raymond Barnes; sisters Vivian Mero and Rita Fishel; granddaughter Debra Kay Baertsch, and a great-granddaughter, Jessie Baertsch.

Ilene is survived by her husband Oscar G. Baertsch; daughter Carla (John) Hilton of Townsend; sons Gary (Sandy) Baertsch of Ronan, Clint (Karon) Baertsch of Missoula, and Lon Baertsch of Missoula; sister Shirley (Don) Lamb of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held today, Oct. 27, from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Grogan Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services for Ilene will be held on Friday, Oct. 28, at 2 p.m. in the Grogan Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be sent to Melita Island Boy Scout Camp or to Diabetes research.