Obituary of Brent Eric Baarda
Brent Eric Baarda, 55, of Libertyville, IL passed away on October 25, 2023.
Brent was born to Dean and Judith Baarda on September 8, 1968, in the western suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He had a happy and active childhood living with his parents and older brother Vance in Rochester, MN and Minnetonka, MN.
Brent attended Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, graduating in 1987 and furthered his education at Indiana University (BS '91) and the University of Michigan (MBA '96). In 1996, he moved to the Chicago area and had a successful career in retail consulting and market research, retiring in 2014. During retirement, Brent worked with his brother to manage their family farming business. He made many trips to Iowa to help maintain the farmyards and enjoyed the excitement of planting and harvest seasons.
In 2002, Brent married the woman of his dreams, Alana Halsne. They enjoyed many years living in their Libertyville home, raising their tropical birds and traveling to many areas of the world. Brent undertook several solo road trips including circle tours around Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. In 2017, Brent achieved his dream of driving from his Illinois home to the Arctic Ocean at Deadhorse, Alaska via the Dalton Highway, a feat that took 10 days and covered over 4,000 miles. During an earlier trip to New England with Alana, Brent traveled across the border of Vermont, fulfilling his childhood goal of visiting all 50 states. In addition to traveling, Brent also enjoyed mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, and spectator sports.
He is survived by his wife Alana, his brother Vance (Sarah), sister-in-law Marla Greenspan, nephews Benjamin (Brooke) Baarda, Evan Greenspan, Ryan Greenspan, and Brendan Greenspan. Surviving nieces are Rebecca (Russell) Andlauer, Rachel (J.T. Allen) Baarda, and Hannah Baarda. He is also survived by a great-nephew, Dean J.H. Baarda and two greatnieces, Naomi and Louise Andlauer.
At Brent's request, there will be no visitation or memorial service. His ashes will be scattered into the Cascade River in the Lake Superior region of Minnesota. Memorials may be given to his father's alma mater, Drake University.
