We Remember
GARTKE, Valentine
—
Valentine Gartke (née Gering) was born October 21, 1937, near Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, and passed away peacefully, though unexpectedly, on June 21, 2023.
She immigrated to Canada in 1950 with her parents and younger sister Nedi (Peter Koelewyn), settling in the Lethbridge, Alberta area. Their immigration was sponsored by the Lutheran Church and it was in Luther League at Christ Trinity Lutheran in Lethbridge that she met the love of her life, Waldemar Gartke. They were married in August of 1963 and settled in Eatonia, Saskatchewan where she began the important ministry of being a supportive pastor’s wife. Their ministry also took them to Steinbach, MB, Lethbridge, AB, Kelowna, BC, and Medicine Hat, AB, during which time she loved to serve by teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir, growing in her love for Christ and Wally.
She lovingly raised her two boys John (Elizabeth) and Tim (Carolyn) and always enjoyed hearing about and seeing her six grandchildren; Emma, Julie, Trenton (Cambria), Nathaniel (Richelle), Trina, and Amy; and five great-grandchildren Seth, Corinne, Nico, Katherine, and Lieselotte. Valentine had wonderful memories of the European river cruises she and Wally took and always wished for just one more. She cherished her weekly Canasta card games and fellowship with dear friends from the church. Valentine will be missed by many but none more so than her loving and devoted husband of almost 60 years.
A viewing for family and friends will take place on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2091 Gordon Drive, Kelowna, BC, with Pastor Barbara Groote officiating. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see link below). The funeral service will be followed by an interment and a reception back at the church.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
LIVESTREAM LINK: from Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church
Visitation
Wednesday, June 28, 2023, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC
Service
Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 11:00 AM
Location
Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2091 Gordon Drive, Kelowna, BC
To Wally and family,
Our heartfelt condolences to you at this time. As we have shared our children and grandchildren over these past years we have always appreciated Valentine’s hospitality and genuine friendliness. We trust God’s presence and peace will be with you as you remember and also celebrate the years you had together. Blessings, John and Olwen Willms
Dear John Gartke and family, we offer our heartfelt condolences to your entire family May she rest in eternal peace ❤️❤️Sincerely Bernadette and family and Harry Franssen
To Wally Gartke and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Val was a lovely lady and great friend to us all. I will never forget the ski trips she was with us. May she rest in peace.. Sincerely Wendell and Fran
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I remember a special time spent with you and Val when you came to our house after baptizing my youngest son, Rick at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eatonia.
Lieber Waldemar. und Ihr. alle Angehörigen, ich trauere mit Euch, Dein Schulfreund aus Göttingen, Georg!