June 26, 1930 - November 18, 2024
I, John (Johann) Baerg was born on June 26, 1930 in Franzthal in the Ukraine, the seventh child to Gerhard and Anna Baerg nee Harms.
I spent my childhood in a rural village, attending Kindergarten and some years in a public school. It was during World War 2 that my father and two brothers, Gerhard and Peter were sent to Siberia.
In September 1943, all remaining family members together with other Germans, (Volksdeutsche) were taken by the German occupation troops to leave Ukraine first for Poland, then Germany. After many miles of convoy and train travel, we arrived in Schleswig Holstein, Germany, where we resided until 1946. In that year we travelled to Bavaria to be reunited with my sister Tina.
In 1947, we received notice that people were able to immigrate to either Canada, US or South America. My uncle, (mama's brother) Henry Harms from Yarrow sponsored our coming to Canada. In 1948, my sisters Anna, Tina and my niece, Anneliese received their visas to travel to Canada. In June 1949, mama and I received our visas and also came to Canada. We landed in Halifax and then by train we travelled to Truax, Saskatchewan where I worked for my Uncle Peter Pankratz to pay my debt. In fall of 1950, I relocated to Chilliwack BC where my mom and sisters lived.
In spring 1951 I began work at Reimer's Nurseries and this is also the time I started attending Yarrow United Mennonite Church.
On May 15, 1951, I was baptized upon the confession of my faith by Bishop J.B. Wiens.
November 23, 1952, I married Hilda Teichroeb and subsequently we had two children, Christine and Albert.
I worked at Eddie's Nursery plus operated a small farm on No. 3 Road near Yarrow. In fall, 1960 we moved to Hilda's family farm, which we purchased in 1962. We continued to attend Yarrow United Mennonite Church and received many blessings as Sunday School Teacher, Youth Leader and Choir Director.
In 1992 we sold the farm to Albert and Marilyn and in January 2006 we bought a condominium in Garden Park Tower. Both I and Hilda enjoyed walking and shopping in the neighbourhood.
The family appreciates the care that mom and dad have received in Menno Home since 2022 where mom died peacefully on February 2, 2024.
John is predeceased by his wife Hilda; survived by his children Christine Baerg (Larry Fast), Albert Baerg (Marilyn); grandchildren, Andy Blackmore (Tracy), Chad Blackmore (Kelly), Janelle Baerg, Candice Babbitt, (Jonathan), Justin Baerg (Pia), great-grandchildren; Marcus, Henry and Ben Blackmore, Alexandria, Mikayla, and Wesley Babbitt, Kaitlyn and Finley Baerg.