Rev. Harlan J. Hartner
A lifelong son of Kansas, Harlan John Paul Hartner was born in Clay Center on March 29, 1914, eldest son of Fred and Rose Hartner. He was raised on his parents’ farm, attended high school and college at St. John’s in Winfield, graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri in l938, and was ordained into the pastoral ministry in the Lutheran Church.
Rev. Hartner was the founding pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Shawnee Mission Parkway at Nall Ave, Mission, Kansas, where he served his entire ministry, 1940-1980. Gifted with a deep desire to proclaim the Christian gospel, unbounded energy, and refusal to let a stranger go unnoticed, his efforts resulted in Trinity’s growth to almost 2000 members at the time of his retirement. Trinity, celebrating its 69th anniversary last weekend, continues to thrive as a widely regarded mission-centered congregation. Under Rev. Hartner’s leadership, Trinity “mothered” four congregations: Zion in Prairie Village, Bethany in Overland Park, Hope in Shawnee and Redeemer of Olathe.
Rev. Hartner married Mildred Heidman, his partner in ministry, in 1940, and she preceded him in death on April 20, 2006. They were parents to daughter Connie and husband Daniel Schmalz of Oak Ridge, New Jersey; daughter Anne and husband Mark Dana of Exton, Pennsylvania; son John and wife Susan Hartner of Hillsboro, Oregon; and son Rev. Timothy and wife Laurie Hartner of Weston, Florida. Rev. Hartner leaves nine grandchildren: Kimberly and Chris Dana; Sara Schmalz and Stephanie Schmalz-Ott; Anne, Elizabeth, Katherine, Deborah and Cindy Hartner. He has been blessed with two great-grandchildren, Madeline Teresa and Jackson Harlan Dana.
Rev. Hartner demonstrated a life-long zeal for service to the Kansas City community and church. He was a 60 year member of the Shawnee Mission Rotary Club, which he served as President and which named him a Paul Harris Fellow. He served on the Mission Chamber of Commerce; the Johnson County Board of Managers; YMCA; Health and Welfare Council; Cancer Society and the Red Cross. He was an ecumenical pioneer, meeting regularly with clergy of all faiths in the Kansas City area. Within the wider Lutheran Church, he was a sought after speaker, youth mentor and Bible study leader at conferences and retreats. He served several terms on the National Board for Missions and was a tireless supporter of Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana. Valparaiso recognized him as Honorary Alumnus and established a scholarship in his name for a Kansas City student.
Rev. Hartner loved relaxation amid God’s bounty in fish and stream, fowl and field and through tending local gardens. His retirement ministries included presiding over fish fries, “Fishin for the Mission!” which raised upwards of $37,000 for Kansas City ministries and charities; calling on the sick with gifts of garden produce and prayer; serving as guest preacher till age eighty-nine. From 1980-1988, he served as winter pastor to seniors at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Stuart, Florida.
He was able to die in his residence of fifty years attended by his four children and with the loving assistance of caregivers and the Kansas City Hospice.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church and will then honor the following: Trinity, Valparaiso University, Kansas City Hospice and Metropolitan Lutheran Ministries.
Visitation and Funeral Services
The celebration of his resurrection in Christ and life as a child of God on this earth will take place at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mission Kansas on Saturday, January 24 at 10 am. A greeting time will also be held on Friday evening January 23 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the church. “Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him.”
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Dear Ones,
I grieve the passing of a lovely man. How wonderful you could all be with him. You cared for him so beautifully these past years!
I remember some of his excellent pastorly advice!
My thoughts and prayers are with you these days and the days ahead. He’s with our Lord and with his Millie — and with you as well. Thine the Amen, Thine the Praise! : ) Sing heartily!
With love,
Beth
Dear Connie, Anne, John and Tim,
We are sorry about your Dad. It is so hard when parents leave us. May memories be precious to you. So glad we got to see your Dad in October.
Love,
Norval and Beverly Ralstin
Our thought and prayers to all the family. Harlan was such a wonderful man who touched all he met. His love of the Lord and family was overwhelming. Corey has such fond memories of hunting with Uncle Harlan and loves to share them with his children and others. He will be missed.
Dear Connie, John, Anne, Tim, and Families – Harry and I want to express our sympathy to all of you. We know you are happy to know that your Dad and Mother are once again together and seeing their Savior face to face. If there is a lake in heaven we know where Uncle Harlan will be. Praise God you have each other to lean on at this time. Our prayers are with you.
Love,
Harry & Darlene Strader
Pastor Hartner baptized both of our children, Chris and Laurie Troppito, during the 1970s. We have such fond memories of being welcomed to the church by him.
We especially remember the baptism of Chris on Super Bowl Sunday in 1972, when everyone came back to our tiny apartment for lunch and sat in front of the TV watching the game, while Chris slept.
We’re now members of King of Kings Lutheran in the Northland, but still speak of our years at Trinity. May God grant you peace in knowing that Pastor Hartner was loved by many and will be welcomed into His kingdom.
Mary Jacobi
Dear family of Rev Hartner:
I have the pleasure of working with John Hartner, son of Rev. Hartner, and if John is a reflection of his father’s compassion, caring, giving and thoughtfulness shown to others, then Rev. Hartner was and will always be remembered fondly through not only his great work on this earth, but the work of his children/grandchildren for generations to come. “May the choirs of angels come to greet you, and lead you to paradise…” – John, we miss you here in Oregon!
Dear John, Ann, Connie and Tim:
I write for our family, Sharon, my sister, and Betty Barton, my mother who will always remember your Father and my dear Pastor Hartner, who got me through a tough time in our nation, the late 60′s. Your Mother and Father were both such a big part of our lives and HIS church was a haven of hope for those of us who chose to walk the “solid path” and your Father became in some ways, became a strong “Father” to all of us.
He never missed a beat and grew with the times.
Many times I think about the middle and late 1960′s and wish they were back as your Father made sense of them in his sermons and his pastoring to our class and generation. May God’s Blessings be with you and all of your children and grandchildren at this time of grieving.
In Christ,
Linda Barton-Stoylen
Betty Barton
Shari Barton King
Dear Hartner family, I was saddened to learn that a friend, whom I admired very much, had died. He now is at a place where many, whom he brought to faith in Jesus, will greet him warmly as he enters through those pearly gates. Pastor Hartner’s influence reached way beyond the Missouri Synod churches. After he retired at Trinity, among the churches he served was Overland Park Lutheran Church. He was a very able assistant to our Pastor. When he taught our adult Sunday School class, seating was at a premium. Very seldom were there any empty chairs remaining. Whenever he preached from the pulpit we knew that the true gospel message was being shared with us. What also impressed me was his commitment to help the poor. I had the privilege to participate at many of his fund raising benefit fish fry events. His life provides a role model for all of us who claim to be Christians.
May God, whose mercy and grace are without limits, console each of you and may memories of happy family times rule the days to come. In Christ, Kal and Ida Makela
Coral, Fiz and I wanted so much to be there to support you but weren’t able to make the arrangements. Please know that we’re there in thought and prayer and send our love and support to your entire family.
Nan
MESSAGE TO THE HARTNER FAMILY:
Our deepest and heartfelt sympathy is extended your family in the passing of your dear father on earth and devoted
servant of the Kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I am sure there was a happy reunion with his beloved Millie and many others he counseled who have also received
their heavenly gifts of salvation.
Sev, my wife, and I are very sorry we were unable safely to get out today to attend the services at Trinity. Sev is
experiencing difficulty with balance and walking, and we were afraid of her falling. I am caring for her at home, and
trying to do as pastor did, spend our latter days in our own home.
I guess we are two of a select group that sometimes iia referenced to as “Hartner Lutherans.” – who the earlier
days at Trinity. Pastor called on Sev and I soon after we moved to Johnson County following WW II David took
Over my job some years ago, and has carried on well, affected, of course, by the woes of the marketplace. Our
Daughter, Carol Ann, is married to Tom Gregoire, a college professor at Ohio State, and they’ve lived in
Columbus, Ohio now for about 10 years or more.. But enough about us.
To you, and your families, Tim, Connie, John, Ann and all other family members, our sympathy is extended in your
great loss of your dear earthly father and servant of the Lord for so many years. May his heritage remain there forever.
On a personal note, Pastor and I were (Ray) were about the same age. Sev and I observed our 65th Wedding
Anniversary last year. David and Carol Ann are in good health, thanks be to God.
Knowing some of Pastor’s earthly pleasures, we pray that fiishing remains always good in heaven and his garden
eternally productive. .
Ray & Sev Buckley faimily
“Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him.” May God’s peace be with you, Connie, Anne, John & Tim as you celebrate and rejoice in the God’s Easter promise of Eternal Life. Our hearts and thoughts are with each of you! With much love, Alana & Rueben Stokes, Weston, Florida!
“Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him.” May God’s peace be with you, Connie, Anne, John & Tim as you celebrate and rejoice in God’s Easter promise of Eternal Life. Our hearts and thoughts are with each of you! With much love, Alana & Rueben Stokes, Weston, Florida!
To the entire Hartner Family,
Thinking about you and knowing Harlan is happy to be in his heavenly home with Millie.
Peace,
Gregg & Deb Hanson
Pastor was devoted to his flock, his church and his family. He was a blessing to Bill and I in so many ways. We praise God for his long life and what he meant to so many people. He had an uncanny way of remembering a person’s name after meeting them just one time. He passed that gift onto those who worked for him – I’m so glad he did as it was helpful through my life.
John, Connie, Anne & Tim and all your families you are in our prayers. We know you have many memories of your parents that will sustain you the rest of your lives. Our love to all of you.
We were so sorry to hear of your loss.. I do remember the famous fish fry at St.Paul’s..
May he rest in peace, and may you remember all the good times you shared and may they bring you and your family comfort.
sincerely, Tom & Barbara Morrison
Scott and Debbie Utz on January 25, 2009
We have so many good memories of the Hartners. From the 1st day we moved in our house, with tomatoes in hand Rev and Millie welcomed us. The summer sounds of the electric knife carving the freshly caught fish with the Royals playing on the radio, to gardening together, to seeing Rev setting at his desk in the family room every Sunday making calls ( one being us) , to talking over the fence, and waving from our windows to each other and getting to know all of the Hartner family. These memories are instilled in our minds and hearts forever. We have been truly blessed to have known them for over 20 years. Bless all of you.
To the children of Rev. Harlan Hartner:: You had a father who was probably strict ( I had one too) but one who loved you very much (I had one too) and one who held you each to high standards – religious, moral and ethical (I had one too). Now, as we reflect on Harlan’s long life of servitude, we mourn his leaving this earth but God called him home because “God sees the BIg Picture” and God is Good!!!! With Prayerful Sympathy, Kris Pasoce, Davie, FL
PT,
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. While we’re sure you miss your dad’s earthly presence, we know you rejoice that he is finally home with the Lord (and with your mom!).
How we long for the day when we all will dwell together again!
” ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ …”
(Revelation 21:3-5)
Love, Joy, and Peace in Him,
Chris, Kathryn, and Katy Wells
Dear Pastor Tim and Family,
What a Dad, Father-in-law and Grandfather, you had!! We wish we could have met him, but we have the feeling that we are “seeing” him and his influence in Pastor Tim, and Laurie and Deborah and Cindy. Their ministry at St. Paul is one of the richest blessings of our lifetime. To the Hartner family, both here in Weston, and elsewhere, we love you!! May the peace of the Lord be with you always!!!
Ray and Suzanne George
I must assume that most of you will probably not know who I am but perhaps you will remember my parents, Vaughn and Wilma Neblock, who were very early members of Trinity. My sister, Rebecca Fisher sent me the news of Pastor Hartner’s passing and I felt compelled to let his children know what a pivotal role this wonderful man played in my life.
In fact, if it hadn’t been for Pastor Hartner, I would not be who I am. In 1959, my parents were looking for a child to adopt and through the Lutheran Social Services and the assistance of Pastor Hartner, they found me! Pastor Hartner “found” me, then he baptized me and later he even helped teach some of my Confirmation classes. I grew up with Pastor Hartner and Pastor Yauk, Vacation Bible School, Sunday School and the Trinity “family.”
But the story does not stop there. Pastor Hartner performed my wedding ceremony in 1981–at Trinity. And then, in 1988, we came full circle, as he baptized my first-born son, David, also at Trinity. He even did part of the baptismal ceremony in German, because I married a German man and have been living in Germany since 1981.
In all the years living over here, I never returned to the States on vacation without stopping by Reeds Drive to see how Harlan and Mildred were doing. He knew that my parents had moved to the Ozarks, so most of our time was spent in discussing the best fishing spots on Taneycomo.
I was able to talk with him on our visit to Kansas City this past July and was so overjoyed to find him still doing so well and able to ask me how my sons (now 20 and 18) were doing.
What can I say that all of you haven’t said already? This man was a rock in my journey through life, a solid foundation, an example of what faith can accomplish, and my friend. I was blessed to have known him and his ministry.
In God’s love,
Sheryl Neblock Bauchwitz
Eiserfey, Germany