"Darlene & Glen, You have meant so very much to our family, I just wanted you to know we are thinking of you.... Amy and the rest of the Schnoor Family"
In loving memory of
Lowell "Gus" Hartje
June 3, 2009
Lowell George "Gus" Hartje was born on November 17, 1925 at the family farm near Neola, Iowa. He was one of five children of George Peter Hartje and Edna Dorothy (Guttau) Hartje. Lowell was the youngest of four brothers, including Lamar, Darrell and Waldon and a younger sister, Darlene. He was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Treynor, Iowa. Gus attended elementary school at the Washington Township Rural School across the road from the family farm and graduated from Treynor High School in 1943.
Gus was a proud veteran of World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps shortly after graduating from high school and was assigned to the 8th Air Force's 385th Bombing Group in England. Gus was a ball turret gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress and was awarded an air medal and oak leaf cluster.
After the war, Lowell returned home to farm with his parents. He married Vivian Ann Glebe of Dumfries, Iowa at Saint John Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs on February 19, 1947. They moved south of Minden where he farmed and lived for over 60 years. Gus and Vivian's marriage was blessed with three sons, Jim, Tom and Ron.
Lowell was an active participant in the community and his family was active at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Treynor and in 4-H. He served as a Farm Bureau member for over six decades, a 4-H Leader for 16 years, and on the Pottawattamie County Extension Youth Committee. Gus was a board member and charter/life member of Pottawattamie County's Westfair where he was a tireless volunteer for many years and instrumental in creating the popular Westfair Beer Garden. He was inducted into the Westfair Hall of Fame in 1995. Gus was a 60-year life member of American Legion in Minden, Iowa.
Lowell custom-built his house and established a carpenter business in Minden in partnership with Earl Bintz. After 35 years of farming and 16 years of carpentry, Gus retired. He was rarely seen without his favorite pipe and enjoyed a lifelong passion for fishing.
Gus and Vivian had been married for 37 years when Vivian died in 1984. Lowell married Audrey Sonia (Koenig) McClain on June 28, 1986 at the Methodist Church in Oakland, Iowa. Gus and Audrey made their home in the house he built on his farm south of Minden.
Lowell and Audrey had been married 23 years when Lowell died on June 3, 2009 at Oakland Manor in Oakland, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his wife Vivian; his parents; brothers, Lamar, Darrell, and Waldon Hartje; and daughter-in-law Linda (Killion) Hartje.
Lowell is survived by his wife Audrey Hartje of rural Oakland, IA; sons, Dr. James Hartje of Sioux City, Iowa, Tom Hartje and his wife, Annie, of Novato, California, Ron Hartje and his wife, Marian, of Laguna Beach, California; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren; sister Darlene Owens and her husband, Glenn, of Treynor; sisters-in-law, Thirza Hartje of Treynor and Eva Hartje of McClelland, Iowa; plus a multitude of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Gus was a trusted friend to many, a good neighbor, and he will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.
Memorials suggested to:
Minden American Legion Post 437
Lamar Hartje American Legion Post 725 of Treynor St. Paul Lutheran Church Building Fund
Interment in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery
Tributes
"Aunt Audrey and family,and to the family of Gus.My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Gus was such an enjoyable person to be around. He made every family gathering feel like the best time you ever had. I will miss his laughter and his input on almost anything you could talk about. I LOVE you Aunt Audrey. Love from Linda and family."
"Ron, I felt a hurt in my heart when I heard about Gus. As everyone says, he was alway a kind person. He always seemed to be smiling when we would come out to the farm. I will always remember sitting at the kitchen table talking to him and and your mom. Take care my friend"
"Our condolences to you and your family, Dr. Hartje. With our sympathy and prayers, Dick, Eva, JaNel & Beth "
"Sorry to hear about Lowell "Gus". Enjoyed having him and the grandkids visit with the peacocks. We have a couple wood frames he made and our microwave cabinet he made out of barn boards. We will always have fond memories of him and will be constantly reminded of him. Always enjoyed our visits with him and the entire family. Thinking of you. From: Dennis Fett & Debra Buck"
" Where have the years gone? The Carroll Family have you in their thoughts. Gus was there for us when Dad passed away in '93. I am so sorry that I never called him. We still give Dave a bad time about how Gus pulled him out of the ditch with his car he only had 27 hours!!!! That's where a big friendship began!! Take care"
"Audrey and family, I was so saddend to hear of the passing of Gus. May God be with you at this time and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. With much sympathy, Jill"
"Gus was everyone's friend....we wish we could have seen him one more time,...but we waited too long. But, darn it, we have lots of memories of the good ole 4-H days and lots of other times. Our condolences to you all. Farewell Mr. Gus"
"Jim,Tommy,Ronnie and Marion, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad, he and your Mom were always fun to be around. Our Decker family is dwindling, with the passing of so many of our parents. I know they are having one large Decker family reunion in Heaven, just as they did here on earth when we were kids. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Jim and Connie Decker Clark"
"Dear Audrey and Family. We were so sorry to hear about Gus. We will miss our long time friend. He was one of Rich's fishing buddies-they had many Minnesota fishing tales. We will be thinking about you and wish we could be there with you. Our love and sympathy. Joyce and Rich"