Michael Baertsch
Michael William Baertsch graduated from Beach, N.D., in 1970. He married and had Jody, Wade and Chad. He worked and managed a cattle ranch in Minnesota and then moved to become the district manager for Flying J in several different states. Later, he returned to Beach and worked in the oil field until he retired in 2016.
In 2016, he moved to the Southern Black Hills of South Dakota and enjoyed fishing, riding SUVs on the trails in the forest and traveling. He loved the area and enjoyed feeding the deer, and removing snow in the winter and welcoming family and friends to the area.
Mike had a wonderful, dry sense of humor, was funny, kind and always had a story to tell. He loved his family and friends and never met a stranger. He will be missed by all the people who knew him.
Mike, of Hot Springs, S.D., passed away Monday, Dec. 18. He was 71.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Donna Baertsch; brother, Butch; two sons, Wade and Chad; and nephew, Scott.
Mike is survived by his wife, Lisa; daughter, Jody of Reno, Nev.; bonus daughter, Ashlee Cook, of Loveland, Colo.; brother, Steve (Jackie) of Rapid City, S.D.; sisters, Pat (Herb) Giorgio of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Dee (Wally) of Medora, N.D., and Sandy (Oscar) also of Medora; four step-children; eight grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews, who will miss him terribly.
Funeral services will be Jan. 6 in Beach. Burial will be at a later date.