Renata Marie Harjung, 85, of Blackshear, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Hospice Satilla Hospice House in Waycross.
She was born in Berlin, Germany 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; 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). She 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 fifth 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 fifth 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 eight 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 and Norma and Ray Webster along with their children, Michael and Diane, who helped to raise Renata’s children and grandchildren. She was loved by so many and lives were greatly enriched just by knowing her.
Memorialization will be by cremation.
A celebration of her 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 of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
