We Remember
HARTLOFF, Werner
—
Werner was born April 12, 1922 in Germany and went to be with the Lord on August 2, 2015 at the age of 93. Survived by his sons John Werner (Deborah) Hartloff of Kelowna, BC, Rolf Hartloff of Saskatchewan, Gunnar Janetzki of Saskatchewan; grandchildren and great grandchildren living in British Columbia, Ontario and the USA. Predeceased by his first wife Elisabeth Hartloff (nee Bitdorf) on May 1965 and Waltraud Hartloff (nee Janetzki) on May 2004.
Dad lived with his son John and his wife Deborah since 2004 after relocating from Windsor, Ontario. A Graveside Service will be held in Windsor, Ontario. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
A Graveside Service will be held in Windsor, Ontario.
John and Debbie, Sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Thinking of you at this time.
2015 August 11
From Pastor Jonathan Asmus, Redeemer Lutheran Church, West Kelowna, BC, on the occasion of the Christian funeral of Werner Hartloff, held at 1 pm. at First Lutheran Church, Windsor, and burial at Greenlawn Cemetery, Windsor, Ontario, Wednesday, 2015 August 12.
Greetings in the Lord Jesus Christ!
We rejoice in the living hope in which Werner Hartloff died, early Monday morning, August 4, in his sleep at Lakeview Lodge in West Kelowna, BC.
By the grace of his Lord and Saviour, Werner’s soul has already been translated to glory before His God, even as we await the final fulfilment at the Last Day when his body will be raised from death to rejoin his soul, to be a body whole, perfect and faultless–redeemed to remain in the presence of our Triune God, the Almighty Maker, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, forever!
In the last seven-and-one-half years over which I came to know him, I was encouraged in my own faith as I learned how Werner awoke each day, recognizing it was the Lord’s. I saw the markings in his German Bible that showed his daily progress in reading it through — many pages were at the third mark, his reminder of where he was reading through the Scriptures. His eyesight was failing to where he could not read during the last months; nevertheless, his acquaintance and memorization of numerous passages of God’s Word (Romans chs. 5 & 8, Col. 2, Rev.2, Eph.6, John 14, Psalm 23, 103, 139, etc.) served to sustain him in soul, even through times of great pain and trial.
In particular, I will quote these words from the conclusion of Romans 8: 35.37-39 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? . . . 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (ESV)
The care of his family to house him in their open basement dwelling, then ensure his provision in a seniors’ care facility as his needs increased was another blessing to see in action in Werner’s waning days. However, it was his body, due to various pains, diabetes, and shingles, that waned, not his memory. He was generally clear of mind to the end. He yearned in these times to depart to be with his Lord. His faith was focused on God’s Son, Jesus Christ, who bled and died for his sins. He found living hope in the truth he received and believed–that Jesus rose again to Life forever, and as King and Lord over all! I recall several times how he noted the urgency with which Scriptures call to repent and be ready for Jesus’ Second Coming–and thought more preaching should address it pronto!
Of course, there are many and various blessings in the course of a life ripe to the age of 93 as of last April 12. His earlier years in Germany, his life enduring the tragedy of World War, his new life in Canada, his vocation in industry, using his creative talents and abilities as a tool and die maker, his vocation of marriage and family life. . .these are now memories. But, I pray, they are reason to note the fullness of the gifts of God for life, and also the power of reconciliation and forgiveness which God gives to repair and restore value, joy, and worth in relationships together.
One special memory several members at Redeemer who caroled at Christmases have voiced upon hearing the Lord’s calling Wener home to Himself, was hearing Werner accompany Silent Night (Stille Nacht) with his harmonica as we sang carols at his room. Member Klaus Tamke made it his regular habit also to visit and encourage Werner, speaking and providing Lesungen auf Deutsch.
Condolences, yet also living greetings, in the hope which is in Christ Jesus, our Saviour, to son John and the remaining family, and our brothers and sisters in Christ at First Lutheran, present for Werner’s funeral and committal. In the words of St. Paul in Galatians 2:20, our lives have purpose and now continue in living hope in closest relationship through our Lord: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
In the peace, the life, and the love of Jesus,
Pastor Jonathan Asmus
A second picture from Christmas caroling with Werner, 2013, while he was at Mill Creek, Kelowna.
Dad was a man. He was a staunch Believer in the Word of God. When I gave my heart to the Lord at the age of 14, dad wept for quite a while; he was so happy. He spoke with gladness of his last church brothers and sisters; He admonished me constantly to seek God daily. Dad is still sorely missed. I thank the staff that looked after dad in his last old years and I know how young he is now while he is with the Lord for eternity