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."