Werner Hillje
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.
The funeral service was entrusted to Pattison Funeral Home & Celebration of Life Centre and was held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. with Life Celebrant David Townsend officiating. A private family burial took place at the Hillside Cemetery. Refreshments were 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.
Arrangements are by the Pattison Funeral Home and Crematorium 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat T1A 2V6. Please call 1-866-526-2214 for further information.