Kriemhild departed for her heavenly home on May 23rd, 2024 to the place Our Lord prepared especially for her.
She was born on April 30, 1934 to Gustav and Magda Harre (nee Scharnowski) in Wulferdingsen, Germany and went through difficult years at the end of World War II, and especially afterwards during the occupation. Since their little rural farm in Bergkirchen (Church of the Mountains) was almost intact, they housed up to 30 refugees and her mother never let a beggar leave without a little handout.
Her father died in 1943 leaving her mother with Kriemhild, younger sister Dorta and brother Heinz-Ludwig to care for. Since Kriemhild was the oldest, she got the job of milking the sheep!
She realized her dream of coming to America in 1955 on a Green Card Visa which allowed her to work at Schenectady Savings Bank and put to use her German business school training.
Kriemhild purchased tickets to return home in 1957 when we met. Plans change! Her only condition was that we be married at her home church in Bergkirchen. That occurred on December 28th 1958. She even planned our honeymoon hiking in the Alps!
She said she dreamed of marrying a forester and living in the woods. Be careful what you wish for!!! Daughter Kristine was born at Fort Meade in 1959 and son Reinhard in 1963 in Shelton, Washington.
We lived on six different Ranger Districts and finally settled in Estacada when I retired the first time. She always found work as the volunteer organist/pianist at every station. She devoted her talents to serving Our Lord through music, finance and organization. Her prized possession was the hand-built Brinkmann piano she brought with her from Germany.
We travelled extensively here in the United States, Europe and in Polynesia, always hiking together in the mountains and visiting family!
She was a founding member of Peace Lutheran in Estacada, attending their first service in 1968. She was also a founding member of Prince of Peace Lutheran in Forks, Washington. She worked over ten years as a Teacher’s Aid, even teaching German, at the Estacada Middle School.
She dearly loved each of her four grandchildren, Darrell, Kassandra, Caroline, and Aiden.
She had a great, constant love for Our Lord and Savior.
My tribute to her is this poem adapted from Robert Lewis Stevenson, author and devout Christian:
Teacher tender comrade wife,
Fellow traveler throughout life,
Heart whole and soul set free,
Our dear Lord Jesus gave to me.
My greatest gift from Our Lord was to share 65 years with her!!