Eldon Francis Wolfe

Eldon Francis Wolfe went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 25, 2019.  He was surrounded by his family as he lost the battle with lung cancer and joyously went home to be with Jesus.  Eldon wanted everyone to know the love of Jesus and shared his faith with everyone he knew.  Eldon also wanted to be a testimony of what the effects of smoking can do and the anguish that came when he realized, too late after quitting smoking, that the cancer was already invading his body.

Eldon was born on October 3, 1947 to Clarence and Albena Wolfe in Sheridan, Wyoming.  He joined his sister, Sherry Wolfe.  Eldon spent his childhood years in Newcastle, Wyoming and graduated from Newcastle High School on May 26, 1965.  He then joined the Army National Guard where he was honored as outstanding in his training class and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In the spring of 1969, he married Bobbie Ellen Foster of Newcastle, Wyoming. They had two daughters, Angelique Ellen and Athena Marie.  His future marriages were to Lila Jean Nordtug of Malta, Montana (First: March 1, 1980, Second: November 23, 1987, Third: July 15, 2005).  Eldon adopted Lila’s daughter, Darcie Jean Nordtug. Through the grace of God, Eldon and Lila lived out their vows in true form until death did them part.

Eldon was blessed to work with his father, Clarence Wolfe, for many years. Eldon owned and operated Black Hills Ready Mix in the mid-1970s. After selling the Ready-Mix business, he traveled the US working with his father building boilers. Clarence and Eldon later decided to settle in the Bitterroot Valley, Montana, where they built and operated a sawmill.  While logging, Clarence, Eldon, and others, built two beautiful homes for himself and his sister, Sherry.

Eldon worked several years in the concrete industry in Hamilton, Montana. Additionally, Eldon was a phenomenal welder (“Weldin’ Eldon”) and owned El’s Welding business. He was a true fabricator of metal and a true fabricator of tall tales, sometimes causing his wife, children, and grandchildren to become unhinged.

Personally, Eldon was quite a character and could light up a room. There wasn’t a stranger he knew, nor a story he wouldn’t share. He always talked of panning for gold and he didn’t miss a Saturday yard sale for love nor money. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson and spending time bargaining for a deal. He was a tradesman who was a welder, artist, architect, engineer, pilot, and rancher. In 2014, Eldon surrendered his life to Christ. Eldon walked his journey and was ready to walk into Jesus’ loving arms.

He is survived by his wife, Lila Wolfe of the family home in Corvallis, MT; his sister Sherry Wolfe-Reisch, three daughters: Darcie Wolfe of Hamilton, MT, Angel Reed of Granbury, TX (Jason), Dr. Athena Kennedy of West Lafayette, IN; and six grandchildren: Sean Williams, Hannah Williams, Zane Reed, Xander Reed, and Jillian Wolfe; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Albena Wolfe, and his first wife Ellen Kelly. Memorial Service held at Cornerstone Bible Church, 280 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, Montana on June 1, 2019 at 10:30 a.m.

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