August 29, 2023
By Obituaries on August 29, 2023.
KAJA WESTGARTH (nee Madsen)
KAJA WESTGARTH (nee Madsen) May 14, 1920 August 24, 2023 A beautiful story…Not 103 pages or 103 chapters, but 103 years! That’s how long our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, auntie and friend, Kaja Westgarth, lived before she passed away peacefully on August 24, 2023, following a stroke. She has joined her loving husband, Frank; her son, Ronald; her grandson, Shane; her brothers, Andy and Edmond; her son-in-law, Ken; and her many, many friends who have gone before her. Kaja was born in Vium, Jylland, Denmark to Anna and Karsten Madsen. Her parents, with Kaja and Andy in tow, emigrated to Canada when Kaja was nine years old. They joined the Danish community in Redcliff, forming many lifelong friendships with fellow Danes.
Frank came into Kaja’s life on a blind date, and they were married a short six months later, in 1942. Frank and Kaja started their painting and decorating business, Westgarth Decorators, in 1946 after Frank returned from the war. For 35 years Frank did the painting and Kaja did the paperwork. She also did the accounting for Westgarth Gallery and The Rosery Florist. Kaja was the oldest member of the Riverside Book Club (founded in 1952) and was cherished by all her friends there. She was very active in Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church. She was an avid seamstress and knitter and took up golf after she retired. Kaja was an inspiration to many – texting on her iPhone and emailing on her computer until her last days. Kaja leaves to cherish her memory her children, Lynne (Al), Bob (Colleen) and Lori (Chris); grandchildren, Tara (Jay), Treva (Jason), Megan (Barry), Robyn (Dwayne), Matthew (Kristina), Erin, Jocelyn (Rick) and Joel (Christen); great-grandchildren, Jade, Dakota, Daxton and Preston; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends, especially Joyce. Every one of us knew that we truly had a special place in her heart. The memorial service for Kaja will be held at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church, 476 4 St SE Medicine Hat, AB with on Tuesday, August 29th at 11: 00 am with Rev. Dave Pollard officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church, 476 – 4 St. SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0K9. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Kaja Westgarth. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to
SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL
CHAPEL CREMATORIUM &
RECEPTION CENTRE,
“The Chapel in the Park
#1 Dunmore Road SE,
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z5
(403)528-2599
http://www.saamis.com
inquiry@saamis.com
Locally owned and directed
CGR Holdings Ltd.
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.
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 http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.
PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat T1A 4C2 6
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