Ilene Baertsch age 86 of Polson passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2005 from natural causes at Evergreen Health & Rehab. Center.  She was born June 3, 1919 at Columbia Fall, Montana to Chester and Angie Conn Barnes.  Ilene attended school through the 8^th 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 1960’s.  Ilene was active with the South Shore Garden Club and was active with the Rebecca Lodge.  Her hobbies included cooking, gardening, seamstress, and spending time with her grandkids.  Ilene was a wonderful cook, and many friends of her children loved to come over and enjoy her meals. 

Her parents Chester and Angie Barnes, brothers Gene Barnes, Lorin Barnes, Raymond Barnes, sisters Vivian Mero and Rita Fishel, and granddaughter Debra Kay Baertsch preceded Ilene in death.  Ilene is survived by her husband Oscar G. Baertsch, daughter Carla (John) Hilton of Townsend, sons Gary (Sandy) Baertsch of Ronan, Clint (Karon) of Missoula, and Lon Baertsch of Missoula, sister Shirley (Don) Lamb of Lake Havasu City, AZ.  Ilene has 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.   

Visitation will be held on Thursday October 27, 2005 from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Grogan Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral service for Ilene will be held on Friday October 28, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at the Grogan Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow the services at Lakeview Cemetery.   In Lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be sent to Melita Island Boy Scout Camp or to Diabetes research.