Paul L. Hartje

Paul L. Hartje, 54, of Bathgate, ND passed away Sunday, November 1, 2020 at the Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, ND. A private service will be held at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church rural St. Thomas, ND.  The public is invited for the committal service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 7th at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery. A public visitation will be held on Friday, November 6th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Askew Funeral Home, Cavalier, ND. Masks and social distancing will be required.

Paul Leslee Hartje was born May 4, 1966 at Grafton, ND to Allen and Alice (Robinson) Hartje. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He grew up in the Glasston-St. Thomas area and graduated from St. Thomas High School in 1984. Paul then attended the AVTI in East Grand Forks for diesel mechanics. He then worked for various farmers in the St. Thomas area. After becoming an airplane mechanic at St. Simond's Island, Georgia, he worked at the airports in Northwood, ND and Brookings, SD. Paul also worked as an auto mechanic at Bruender's Corner Mart in Tyler, MN. Paul has been self employed at the Cavalier Airport until the time of his death. 

Keeping airplanes safe for people to fly was his top priority in his work. His love and specialty was working on crop sprayers for anyone, at anytime for as long as the job took. 

Things he enjoyed were snowmobiling, hunting, fishing and making homemade venison sausage. One of his favorite past times was watching western movies.  Paul was a simple man, however his hands and mind were gifted in fixing everything. Paul's gift to others has been lifelong. He became the ultimate giver of life in donation through Life Source. He loved his wife, children, family, and friends with all his heart. 

On November 12, 1999, he married Sheila Kemnitz at Northwood, ND. She survived him as do his sons: Gabriel Hartje (Sydney), Bathgate ND; Elijah (Rylan) Hartje, St. Thomas, ND, Zachariah Hartje (Jessica), Fountain CO; siblings: Teresa Perrault, Mark (Mary) Hartje, Steven Hartje, Dawn (Paul) Twenge, David Hartje, and Thomas (Wendy) Hartje. Also surviving are his mother-in-law, Gladys Kemnitz, brothers-in-law, Dennis Kemnitz, Rick (Sheila) Kemnitz, Perry Kemnitz (Val) and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; baby sister Leah, and many aunts and uncles.