Elwin Arthur Redding, a long time Helena Montana resident, passed peacefully in his sleep August 19, 2011, at Aspen Gardens Assisted Living Facility.
Elwin was born November 7, 1924, in Lyons Nebraska to Floyd and Meda Redding. He graduated from Lyons High School in 1942. After one semester of college at the University of Nebraska, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp. He was ordered to active duty in February 1943. He was stationed in Italy flying a B-24 bomber. He received his honorable discharge on July 30, 1945.
Returning stateside, Elwin married his high school sweetheart, Rosamond McKenzie, on September 7, 1945. He completed his college education at University of Nebraska under the GI Bill. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in January 1948.
Immediately upon graduation, Elwin was summoned home to Lyons to take over the family business from an ailing father. He and Rosamond owned the Ford Dealership from January 1950 to July 1965.
Following a 6 month hiatus, Elwin took a job as a loan officer with the Small Business Administration in Omaha, Nebraska. He transferred to the Helena, Montana SBA office in 1969 where he worked until he retired in February 1985. He enjoyed his retirement with Rosamond until her death on December 12, 1991.
He was a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church, a Sigma Chi Alum, and a jazz fest enthusiast. He was a loving husband and father, an avid fisherman and a savvy businessman. He is survived by 2 daughters, Mary A. Redding & Jean K. Redding of Seattle; 2 sons-in-law Roy W. Elliott and Jeffrey V. Lindstrom; and a sister-in-law Mary Lou Werkmeister of Broomfield, Colorado.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, August 24, 2011, at 11:00 AM at Plymouth Congregational Church. A reception will follow. Interment will be in the Lyons Nebraska Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice in Elwin’s name.
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Florence and Dick Mayer says
El was a great friend and will be remembered as a solid Big Red Fan and hard worker in The Retired Sinners Group at Plymouth. Our thoughts are with his family and know he is in a better place.
Julie DalSoglio says
I will miss Mr. Redding’s warm smile and gracious manner. I feel blessed to have known him through Plymouth Church.