Polson parade marshal Oscar Baertsch turns 100 this week

By TRIP BURNS

When the Fourth of July parade rolls down the streets of Polson, be on the lookout for Oscar Baertsch. He’s the Grand Marshal and will be riding in a 1935 Ford Model A. He also will be celebrating his 100th birthday, even though his real birthday is two days later on July 6. When you are 100 years old, what is two days in the scheme of things anyway?

Living a century is a long time, and Baertsch knows it. If you speak to him, speak up; he just got two new hearing aids last week and he’s still getting the hang of them. He has kind eyes and a soft demeanor and is quick to smile. He’s led a long life and although we all know the phrase “time flies,” Baertsch says that’s true, even at this stage of his life. Other than a slight stoop in his walk from so many years on Earth fighting gravity, he’s in good health, and is mentally sharp.

“I feel fine,” he said. “I feel good.”

Born in Proctor, Mont., in 1915, Baertsch loved the outdoors growing up. His childhood was a common American one, and he had no complaints. He loved to fish in Dayton Creek and Lake Mary Ronan, among many others. “I fished all of ‘em,” he said.

His family moved to Polson, where he attended high school. He graduated in 1935 and started his life in earnest.

All 100 years might be hard to keep track of, but Baertsch remembers them fondly. He might look to the sky to trace his mind map for the memories and order in his vast collection of experiences, but he’ll return eye contact with a smile and an ever-so-slight twinkle in his eye. Baertsch did a variety of jobs after high school.

“I did everything,” he said.

Baertsch helped to build Kerr Dam by working in a machine shop during its construction. His job was to sharpen the drill steel. “It was a good job,” he said. “Until they shut most of us off.” Then it was off to farm in Charlo, which he did for a while.

He worked at various timber mills and at one time was in charge of 45 people as a foreman at the now-disbanded Polson Plywood. “I worked the graveyard shift,” he said.

Work came and went, just as history came and went. He worked at mills, and then for a time he built houses and apartments in Lake County. He got married and raised a family with four children – three boys and one girl. Although they are grown now and have families of their own, they live relatively close.

Eileen was his wife and his love for 67 years. They met through his cousin in Kalispell and were married and remained so until she passed away in 2005.

“I took care of her for six years,” he said. Eileen developed Alzheimer’s before she died. “I didn’t put her in no rest home.”

These days, Baertsch sits under the porch awning overlooking his land with a view of Flathead Lake off Highway 35. He retired from work in 1979. From his recently painted back porch, Baertsch sat in a lawn chair and looked out over the field. A few cows were laying in the shade. He built the house he lives in now in 1962 and has seen a lot of change to the area, but not so much that it’s changed his property.

“It’s pretty much the same,” he said. “Although they took a little off my land when they needed to build the road.” Retirement has been good to Baertsch. He had plenty to do around the house with cows and hay, and a few horses.

Baertsch has lived in Montana for most of his life, except for a brief sojourn to Cody, Wyo., for work. Montana will always be home, he said.

“It’s my favorite state,” he said.

Baertsch often reflects on his long life, but doesn’t let the reflections get in the way of the forward momentum of everyday living.

“I look back,” he said. “And I can see some mistakes I made.” He takes it all in his stride.

He has no secrets to life or to reach the age he has by any strategy or plan. So much history has passed in his life. Although he does offer a simple thought on why he’s survived to this point.

“I worked hard,” he said. “I really did.”

When you attend the 4th of July parade in Polson, be on the lookout for Oscar G. Baertsch and wish him a happy birthday. Hell’ be riding in a Model A. You can’t miss him.