Lena (Baerg) Eitzen

Lena Baerg Eitzen

Lena Baerg Eitzen, 85, died Sunday (May 3, 2009) at Presbyterian Manor in Newton. Lena was born on June 18, 1923, to Henry G. and Elisabeth Rahn Baerg in the Lustre community of Valley County, Mont. On Sept. 5, 1943, Lena married Alvin D. Eitzen in the Bethel Lustre Mennonite Church in Frazer, Mont. Following their marriage, they lived and farmed in Mountain Lake, Minn., for one year, but for the next 36 years, they lived and farmed in the Lustre community in Montana. Lena served in Sunday school, in the Mission Society of the church and with music. She also was involved in the women's activities of the former Northern District Mennonite Conference and General Conference Mennonite Church.

In April 1981, Lena and Alvin retired and moved to Mountain Lake, where they continued to be actively involved in church and community life. Alvin preceded her in death on Dec. 3, 2004. In December 2006, Lena's family moved her to Presbyterian Manor in Newton, due to her advancing Alzheimer's disease.

Lena is survived by her children, Howard Eitzen of Great Falls, Mont., Erwin Rempel of Newton, Norman Rempel of Fresno, Calif., Barbara Rempel Busenitz of Elbing, and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Susie Baerg, Anna Baerg and Elisabeth Kliewer; and brothers, Ruben, Arthur and Clarence.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Lakeview Gospel Church in Mountain Lake.

Memorials may be designated to Mennonite Mission Network, P.O. Box 347, Newton, KS 67114.