Renata Marie (Harjung) Harjung

Mrs. Renata Marie Harjung, 85, of Blackshear, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Hospice Satilla Hospice House.

Mrs. Harjung was born in Berlin, Germany on February 3, 1940.  A strong, independent woman with a heart of gold, this was shown by the revolving door of her home, with people coming for refuge, advice, and love, but she was also a straight shooter who would tell you exactly how it was, even if it hurt your feelings.  A true foodie, she loved to go out to dinner, often followed by taking in an old classical movie.  But one of her greatest accomplishments would be the many lives she touched of the many children that she rescued from the orphanage, which was shown by her being awarded the title of Mother of the Year in Chicago.

She was a daughter of the late Adam and Frieda Harjung.  She was also preceded in death by a sister, Elfi Valenta; a brother, Gerhard Sorger; and four of the children she rescued from the orphanage, Sandi (Bruno) Vabalaitis, Stephanie (Sam) Alder, Rhonda (Brett) Fillmore, and George Kaiser.

Survivors include her son, Adam Kurt Harjung; her grandson, Joshua Adam Ramatowski; and her great granddaughter, Milie Ann; a special daughter-in-law, Lori (Rich) Antczak; her brother, Kurt (Linda Motz) Harjung and their children, Nicholas, Lisa (Mike) Spence (and their children, Joel (Jess) Tinsley; Leanne (Christopher) Russo (and their children, CJ and Parker); and Jason (Gwendolyn) Harjung (and their children, Audrey, Hannah, Julie, and Breanna); a sister, Brigitte (Robert) Heinzen (and their children, Deborah (and her children, Michael, Katlin (Irvin) Greco (Mateo and Michaalso Brittany Barrett); Robert (Christie Green) (and their children, Kyle Heinze and Conner Green); and Matthew (Kristin) (and their children, Mila and John).

Renata also has some additional family who she unselfishly became mother to when taking them from the orphanage.  This also earned her the Mother of the Year title in Chicago.

Her daughter, Debbie Andre (Kaiser) and her family gave Renata a 5th generation family including Debbie Andre (Debs) and her children, Michelle and William, grandchildren Nakiah, Matthew, Tyler, Jayden, and Nicholas; and a great granddaughter, Erabella, who completes the 5th generation of women for her family.

Along with other children she rescued from the orphanage are Ronald (Lenore Appollo) Kaiser, Kathy (Ken) Melland, and Mary Jean Elliott.

She would be grandmother to 41 children from these original 8 Kaiser children bringing the total grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren to 47.

She is also survived by other special people she considered family.  Kathy Ramatowski, Jessa Glover, Nile Mason-Glover, Kendall Glover, and Nile.  Also, Norma and Ray Webster along with their children, Michael and Diane, who helped to raise Renata’s children and grandchildren.

Renata was loved by so many and lives were greatly enriched just by knowing her.

Memorialization will be by cremation.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Humane Society or animal rescue of one’s choice.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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