Ralferd C Freytag

Between those stark facts, Ralf lived a full and interesting, spirit-filled life to the very end of it. Not a life that was free of dark moments and times of doubts, but always realizing that God's guiding hand was at work in it at all times. He was keenly aware that he was blessed by God's grace and forgiveness and was thus able to give that same grace and forgiveness and acceptance to others, including his family. This was one of his great gifts to us and others.

Ralferd was born into a farming community and family. He was the first born of Carl and Valeta Freytag. Ralf's mother was church organist and the whole family loved to sing. Ralf took over for his mother as organist in his teens. High German was used in church, Low German the language of his family and community. From early on, Ralf pursued his knowledge of German, so both music and German helped to shape his life. Through his attendance at a Christian Day School and extensive instruction at confirmation classes and summer school, he was introduced to his life-long interest in matters of faith and theology, often readjusting the quite legalistic bent of his early learning even in his later years. He put his skills in music, German and theology to good use when he was encouraged to enter the ministry and began his studies towards that goal.

In 1944, he began his studies at Capital University, Columbus, Ohio and received his Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Evangelical Lutheran Seminary (now Trinity) in 1953. Between 1949 to 1951 he worked in the German speaking, Christ Ev. Lutheran Church in Rome, Italy as intern. While in Europe he furthered his theological studies at the University of Erlangen,Germany on a 1 year scholarship.

In 1953, he began as Assistant Pastor at Zion in Ann Arbor, Mich. In 1955, he was called to the German/English St. John Congregation in Ottawa, Ont. He married Harriet Stencill, a member of the congregation there, in l962, directly following which he served St. Martin, Webster, NY, where a son Eric and daughter Mary Grace were born. In 1966, he served Danish-background Salem Lutheran in Brooklyn, NY. While there he earned a Master of Sacred Theology degree at NY Theological Seminary and started Clinical Pastoral Education at Lutheran Medical Center, which culminated in a year's residency at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill.

1973 - 1985 he served in Germany as pastor of Heiliggeistkirche, one section of St. Peter's parish, Wolfsburg, Germany in an “exchange” programme of the American Lutheran Church. In 1985, he was called to the bilingual Church of Cross and Church of Christ in Vancouver which merged into Oakridge Lutheran during his time there. He retired in 1991 to Victoria BC, becoming a member of Lutheran Church of the Cross. After retirement, he gave of his time as hospital chaplain, supply pastor, choir director at LCC and was on various committees and positions in the Vancouver Island Conference.

Ralf was a life-long learner, interested especially in the latest theology, history, Biblical studies, art and music. He had several projects planned just before his hospitalization and death, and positions on two church boards. He was happiest with a book between his hands and unlimited time.

He was a dearly loved husband of Harriet for 58 years, father of Eric Freytag and Mary Grace Weir (Robert), and Opa to Cameron and Aaron Freytag, Elissa and Sabrina Weir, and also to Robert and Stephen Zastre. Also survived by brothers Robert (Arlene), Ted (Betty), and Fritz (Marilyn) and sister Mary Alice Witte (Louis). He made an impact on many lives, often unaware of that. His church and faith were the center of his life. He was grateful for the love and concern shown him at all times, but especially during hard times in our lives. Truly a gift from God.

Our deepest gratitude goes out to the staff at Victoria General Hospital who looked after Ralferd and family with such skill and compassion during his final days.

Memorial service will be live-streamed at www.lutheranvictoria.ca on June 29, 1:00 p.m. PDT. Memorial gifts can be made through Lutheran Church of the Cross, Victoria, designated for Mortgage Reduction, the Shelbourne Community Kitchen or Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon, or to a charity of your choice.