Werner Hillje

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. He 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. 

He 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). 

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