Ethel E. Hartje

Ethel Hartje, age 93 of St. Thomas, ND passed away on Monday, June 13, 2011 at the Lutheran Sunset Home of Grafton. Ethel, the daughter of Henry and Violet (Steinke) Augustin was born October 4, 1917 in rural St. Thomas. She was a graduate of St. Thomas High School and Aakers business school in Grand Forks. Ethel and Wallace Hartje were wed July 20, 1947. Ethel helped Wally with the grocery store in St Thomas. Ethel also remained involved with the family farm while being a homemaker. She was a den mother, 4-H leader, and a charter member of the St. Thomas Sr. Citizens. Ethel attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church of St. Thomas. She was a Sunday School teacher for over 30 years and an active member of the LWML. In later years she was a Bible teacher at the Grafton State School. Ethel is survived by her son, Roger Hartje of Seattle, WA; her daughter, Ruth (Thomas) Albro of Huntsville, AL; two granddaughters, Amber and Susan Albro of Columbia, MD; and a brother, Ivan Augustin of Waynesboro, VA. She was preceded in death by her parents; Wallace Hartje, husband, and brothers Art, Milton, Harvey, Stanley, Willard, and Curtis Augustin. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 2:00 PM at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, rural St. Thomas. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton and Saturday for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the church cemetery.