WERNER HILLJE
Posted: August 29th, 2023
WERNER HILLJE 1931 ~ 2023
It is with great sadness that the family of Werner Hillje announce his passing on Friday, August 25, 2023 in Medicine Hat, Alberta at the age of 91 years. He was the youngest of ten children and born on October 20, 1931, to Eilert and Anna Meta Hillje of Osterscheps, Germany.
Werner grew up in Northern Germany and immigrated to Canada in 1954. The love of his life Almut Sturhahn followed in him 1955. They were married on June 16, 1956, in the Oyen United Church. They resided in the Esther district farming until 1971 when they moved into Oyen and Werner became a well-respected heavy duty mechanic at Scory Motors. In 1987, the family moved to Medicine Hat where he continued to work as a mechanic for several companies working mainly on CASE tractors. In 1988, his lovely wife passed away from cancer.
Werner was an avid gardener and loved to tinker with his hands. He was a jack of all trades. In later years, he enjoyed visiting friends and neighbours, playing Yahtzee and cards, doing jigsaw puzzles and building elaborate matchstick models. He would tell many tales of his early years in Germany and living through WW2. He spent countless hours on the phone talking to his family and friends back home. Werner was known as a kind, hard-working gentle man with a sweet soul. He was loved and respected by many. He passed away peacefully with his family at his side. He is survived by his three children Walter, Rita and Margaret and his dear friend Uta Riechelmann.
Werner was blessed with three children, Walter Hillje (Denise Buechi) of Calgary, Rita (Rob) Odenbach of Ponoka and Margaret Kuss (Perry Hochlander) of Medicine Hat; six grandchildren, Melissa (Ryan) Roop, Danielle Hillje, Benjamin (Pam) Caskey, Amanda (Ryan) Isaac, Brandon Kuss and Devon Kuss, and three great grandchildren Paige Isaac, Elise Isaac and Haley Roop.
He was pre-deceased by his parents, Eilert and Anna Meta Hillje, his siblings, his wife, Almut and numerous family and friends.
Family and friends who wish to pay their respects may do so one hour prior to service time. The funeral service is entrusted to PATTISON FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTRE and will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. with Life Celebrant David Townsend officiating. The service will be live streamed. Those who wish to attend virtually, please visit pattisonfuneralhome.com and select live streaming, then select the youtube (arrow). A private family burial will take place at the Hillside Cemetery. Refreshments will be served at the Pattison Funeral Home. Those who wish to remember Werner with a donation, may do so to The Kidney Foundation of Canada (6007 1A St SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0G5). To leave a message of condolence you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.
PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat T1A 4C2
To Margaret, Brandon, Devon and family:
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your father and grandfather. Cherish the memories and the time spent together. We are thinking of you during this difficult time!
To Margaret and family, sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.