Hanni, Birgit and Family, it was with a heavy heart to learn the passing of Olaf senior. You are all in my thoughts as another anniversary nears. Peace be with you Olaf, your smile remains with me today like it was yesterday and to your family and friends here on earth, I ask as Christmas nears they are comforted in love.

We have fond memories of Olaf & we’re very saddened to hear of his passing. Thank you for embracing Nicola as a child she has wonderful memories of you all that will last her a life time. Our love & prayers go out to Honey & families at this sad time. Kindest love & Regards Doreen &Brian Clayton xx

It is with great sadness that I learned of your passing. I was two years old when I moved in next door with my parents and became a firm fixture at your family table over the following years. My friendship with Corinna is still standing strong today after 48 years. Although you were a quiet contemplative man I came to see later in life your sense of humour. I have fond memories of trying to swap school lunches with Ilona so I could eat your wonderful German sourdough bread and digging for treasure in your backyard, which you did not seem to mind - I think perhaps you loved the idea of us kids getting right in there with nature no matter the mess! There were many trips to the Waitakere ranges sharing your love of nature and fruit picking by the box load so Aunty Honey (Hanni - I always thought it was Honey, the sweetest name for the sweetest lady) could do wonderful preserves. You kindly would go out of your way once we had moved to pick me up on Sundays and take me to church. There was always room at your family table for me and I will forever be grateful for the treasured memories. Thank you Olaf and Aunty Honey. May you rest in peace. Much love to you Aunty Honey, Corinna, Ilona, Birgit and Olaf xx

Olaf always had a warm, friendly smile when we saw him, whether it was at his house when the children and I came to craft group; when we sometimes bumped into him and Hanni walking along the beach; or the many Sunday mornings we saw him at church. He was a caring, generous man, who delighted in the children, and was well respected for his wisdom. Olaf will be missed by those of us who were blessed to know him. Much love from our family, to Hanni, Corinna, Ilona, Olaf Samuel, and Birgit.

Dear Olaf and Hanni, We will always cherish our lovely memories together. All our love, Pam and Bob Yabsley

Dear Olaf, We were blessed to know you and have you as part of our lives. It was a pleasure spendng qualiy time with you during New Years. The memories will stay with us and you will be missed beyond measure! May the Lord bless you and keep you in his care. From Rockshan, Kevin & Rhea

Dear Olaf. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for letting me get to know you personally, to learn about the extended Raasch family stories whilst on our many trips & hours spent together as a family, and most notably to the Coromandel’s. It seemed every numerous beach or camp spot we stopped at on our daily itinerary, there was an enthusiastic family tale to be told of bread making on the open fires, chainsaws, pointing out the exact camp spot and stream where the family swam and camped, fishing story’s, finding gemstones on the beach, rolling the Land rover in a ditch, advice on how to drive on the narrow gravel winding roads, & Olaf Samuel with his red cap winning a trophy by the tractor on the beach, and these stories were lovingly repeated each year. The biggest honour was hearing your childhood stories of growing up in war time Germany, this gave me a deeper respect of you and your life struggles. Over the years seeing the respect, warmth, and deep love between you and Hanni was heart-warming, something I will do my best to mentor in my own marriage, this love was evident throughout the Rassch family unit & more so when together as a family around Christmas time. You will be missed deeply. Love Matt

Liebe Hanni, liebe Familie, Thomas und ich möchten Euch im Namen der ganzen Familie Stunkat und Absolon unser aufrichtiges Beileid aussprechen. Mein Englisch ist nicht so gut, daher schreibe ich in deutsch. Für euch alle ist und war es eine schwere Zeit voller Hoffen und Ängste., Und jetzt ist Olaf, der euch immer Halt gab, nicht mehr da. Doch Olaf lebt in unseren Gedanken, Erinnerungen und Gebeten immer weiter. Es fehlen die richtigen Worte des Trostes. Viele sagen: "Die Zeit heilt viele Wunden", doch so ist es nicht. Die Wunden bleiben, doch sie schmerzen nicht mehr so sehr, weil die schönen Erinnerungen bleiben. Ich bin Olaf für seine ehrliche Art und weise dankbar, die einem den guten Weg zeigte. Ich bin ihm dankbar für seine Gebete und dass Lydia so lange bei ihm und Hanni leben durfte. Mich tröstet ein Gedanke, dass Olaf nun bei Gott geborgen ist und dass er meinen Vater Reinhard wiedersehen wird. Somit dürfen wir alle Trost in unserem herzen finden. Liebe Hanni, liebe Familie, fühlt euch fest umarmt. Wir beten für Euch, dass ihr die nötige Kraft für jeden neuen Tag habt. Viele liebe Grüße soll ich von der ganzen Familie sagen, ganz besonders von meiner Mutter Ilselore, von meinen Geschwistern Hartmut mit Sabine, Sabine mit Peter und von Thomas und mir. Lydia und Chris lassen euch ebenso herzlich grüßen und auch Julia. Gott segne und behüte Euch alle, Dich, Hanni, ganz besonders!

Dear Olaf, I am forever thankful for the gentle, subtle guidance you have been in my life. There were seasons where met daily and other where we met once a year. But I know you always meant well, even when I did not deserve it! You prayed for me so faithfully and always answered all my questions about our Lord Jesus Christ. Knowing you are not on earth anymore leaves this big, big, big part of silence and nothingness where once I knew were you, your words, your wisdom and you thinking favourable of me - kindly and daily. This silent strength that is reliably screaming at life’s hardships - just for me, just like that. I will never forget the wisdom you passed on to me, the patience you had with me in all life situations and the cheeky smile of yours! For now, I am happy that you are in heaven - healthy, young and with all the saints and all the people you brought to the Lord. I can’t wait to see you again! Your Karin.

Our first contact with the Raasch Family was way back in the 1970's when our daughter Kathy met Birgit at Ranui School. They were both attending an after school Christian group at home of Sandra Breckon. We parents met when picking up our daughters. My husband Erling was a multi-linguist, historian, and Christian so there was immediately much common ground for our mutual friendship to grow. As we shared more, we discovered family members of both our families had been naturalised at the same civil ceremony in central Auckland a few years earlier. We have been able to be of help to each other on many different occasions. We have also had the joy of visiting Hanne's sister in Oldenburg in Germany - Ilselore and Rheinhart have made us welcome more than once. Knowing the Raasch family on all levels, has truly enriched our lives. Olaf will be sadly missed by us all. Glenice, Allan, Susan, Linda & Kathy Jensen

I honour a man of quiet faith with a gentle smile, who reverence God, and lived under the authority of God’s Word. It has been a pleasure to have fellowshipped with him and shared together the things of God. Jim and Maureen Peacock 29 December 2021

Olaf A quiet and gentle man' An earnest. steadfast, true man of God We will miss your sense of humour and your beautiful smile. A man we respected and feel privileged to call our friend Love Maurice and Michelle "We will see you next time"

Olaf...It would have been an honor to cut your hair again. I offered to cut it again when I visited you in hospital but you recognized me even though I had on a mask and a white coat.....See you again one day..Love in the name of Yeshua.....from Daniel

Dear Daddy (due to two Olafs in the family), I thank you for a lifetime (56yrs) of marriage together. Life will never be the same again without you here! Often when you held my hand & I felt the hidden warmth of your inner personality, our hearts felt closely knit & we both had felt our Lord Jesus’s hand on our lives together. Now you have conquered the valley of death Daddy, the Lord has set you free into his kingdom of heaven, but our hearts are still joined together. Hugs & love, Yours forever, Mum xx

My Precious Papa, I miss you more than words can say, you have been such a big part of my life. You taught me so much about The Faith and helped me to understand the history of the early church and where so much that we believe stems from. I have so many wonderful memories of bicyle rides in my teens, camping trips, long discussions and heartfelt words over the years. Thank you for your leading and guidance, words of wisdom, joyful laughter, cheeky sense of humour, prayer times and understanding. You will always live on in my heart. I love you. Your Wutzi (Corinna Raasch)

My dearest papa, miss you so much, always been there for me my whole life,doing your best to guide me on the right path. Just cant believe you not here no more, just doesn,t seem right.life never be same without you papa. Never thought this day come,but time came.do my best to make you proud papa. Gone and never forgotten,your son olaf.

Dearest beloved Opa, We re-live in our hearts the cherished memories and times we got to spend with you. The times we all laughed at your sharp humour, the times you lifted us up when we were sad, the guidance you provided with learning about the Lord. I am so greatful that you are my Grandfather and you have shaped my life in all ways for the better. Thank you for your kindness and love. Please be at rest and at peace now dearest Opa, I'll always think of you when I'm at the beach sitting on sand dunes, or when I'm planting fruit trees in the garden. I look forward to the day I get to see you again. Missing you so much and wishing we got more time. So much love from your granddaughter Holly

My Precious Dad, Thank you for the love & care you have showed me over the years. Your deep faith in Jesus has helped guide and direct my life in many ways. Your cheeky nature & our long discussions about life and the world will really be missed. You were so unique & always approachable, you had sound advice. You will be in my thoughts & heart forever. I love you & miss you dreadfully!! Your Bearchen xxx