Hartenstein, Irmtraut

Irmtraut Hartenstein of Blacksburg passed away Thursday, February 21, 2019 in her home. She was born October 14, 1937 in Vlotho, Germany, née Tintelnot.

Irmtraut was a well-loved pillar of her community who always gave a helping hand and an encouraging word to everyone she met. When she wasn’t shaping the minds of young Girls Scouts or helping people overcome physical disabilities or injuries as a Physical Therapist, she was opening her mind to the many walks of life on this earth and supporting works for peace and those in need. She did many wonderful acts of kindness with the greatest of humility and selflessness. The world has truly lost a model of goodwill, benevolence, tolerance and all the virtues desperately needed today. She was a member of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church for nearly 50 years.

Not the least of her life achievements, she was a devoted wife of Otto Hartenstein for 52 years to his death in 2011, mother of four children and grandmother to Cash and Wyatt Mills, Theo, Emmanuel, Michael and Rodrigo Hartenstein, opening up her heart and home with loving arms to each and every child, always letting them know they were loved and valued.

She shared her husband’s compassion for dogs and had many canine children and grandchildren all drawn to her maternal loving magnetism, no matter how scared of everyone else they might be. She was also known for her talent in landscaping and cultivating beautiful indoor plants. Her skill was featured in Blacksburg’s Friendly Garden Tour together with her husband’s Garden Railroad.

She is survived by her four children and their families: Theodore (Ted) of Tucson, AZ, Julie Kinter of Waynesville, NC, Joyce Mills of Weston, CT and Christine (Cre) Hartenstein of Christiansburg. Her family wishes to convey their heartfelt thanks to their Lutheran Church family who supported and enriched her life to the end. The greatest way she can be honored is for those she leaves behind to live in her example: with empathy, kindness, generosity, and an open mind and heart for goodwill beyond ourselves.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 600 Price’s Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060. A Memorial Service will be held at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 3pm with the Rev. Rosemary Backer officiating. Family will receive friends at a reception immediately following the service.