Martin Baerlin

Apr. 13, 1935 -Aug 14, 2024

Martin R. Baerlin

Beloved husband of Mary Lou. Loving Father of Mark Baerlin, Gretchen (Jack) McDaniel, and David (Amy) Baerlin.  Adored Grandfather of Avery Baerlin and Lauren Baerlin.  Dearest son of Enos and Esther Baerlin. Dear brother of Betty (Stan*) Erickson.  Uncle to Terry (Cathy) Allen, Vicky (Paul*) Kapcio, Cindy (Mark*) Littlejohn, Jana Erickson, Paul (Nesrin) Erickson, Linda (Jordan) Paul, Danielle Bell, and Damon (Shamika) Wright.  Most awesome brother- in- law to Janet *(George) Allen, Dennis (Denise) Wright and Chuck* (Gay*) Wright.

Martin was born in April of 1935, the youngest of two children. He was an industrious child, often taking apart various mechanical machines and reassembling them, many times with extra superfluous parts absent from the original assembly. Growing up he spent many hours helping his dad repair cars in their back yard.  With his curious and industrious interests, he earned his journeymen's certification as an electrician. He married his life partner, Mary Lou, in 1958. Together they had three children. Martin made a career at the Chrysler Stamping Plant in Warren, Michigan as a general maintenance foreman.  After retiring from Chrysler, he worked part time at Universal/St. Gobaine doing what he loved, preventative maintenance.  Martin also found time to donate his industrious talents to Atonement Lutheran Church in Dearborn, Michigan. There he helped maintain and improve the function of the building.  In his spare time, Martin and Mary Lou enjoyed "vacationing" (AKA working hard) at the family farm in Edgerton, Ohio. He and Mary Lou also ventured to other destinations, in their red vehicle, especially Branson, Missouri.  These travels were made even more enjoyable when they could be spent with family and friends.

Martin immersed himself into gardening. He could make rhubarb grow like a bush, and sow zucchini the size of baseball bats.  He loved sharing his knowledge of horticulture with his family, and planted the seed in them to cultivate their own horticultural interests.

Martin considered it a good day, if after running errands, he could stop and have a cup of coffee and an old-fashioned doughnut at a Tim Horton's. While our memories of him will be a blessing we ask that in honor of his memory every one stop at Tim Horton, "break doughnut" with a loved one and propose a toast to Martin.

We would also like to share the lessons he has given us:  Live your faith, love your family and plant a garden.

Visitation at the Dearborn location of Howe-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Services on Tuesday, August 20, 3-7pm. Funeral service at the funeral home on Wednesday, August 21, at 11am. Gathering may begin at 9:30am. Interment Glen Eden Memorial Park, Livonia.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to either Ridgeview Hospice in Waconia, Minnesota ( https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/foundation/ways-to-give/ ) , or Zion Lutheran Elementary School, Cologne, Minnesota ( https://www.zion-cologne.org/ ) .