Arno Ewoldt
d. March 16, 2015
Arno J. “Barney” Ewoldt, 97, a lifelong resident of Eldridge, passed away Monday, March 16, 2015, at Crest Health Center in Davenport.
Funeral services will be noon Friday, March 20, 2015, at Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge, where he was a charter member. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until the time of services Friday at the church. Private burial will be at Davenport Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church. Chambers Funeral Home in Eldridge is assisting the family with arrangements.
Barney was born Aug. 19, 1917, in Eldridge, the son of Christian and Dora (Litscher) Ewoldt. He was united in marriage to Melvia Burmeister on March 23, 1940, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport. They would have celebrated their 75th anniversary in one week. He had worked as a carpenter and construction supervisor, retiring in 1981 from Leonard Ewoldt Construction.
He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served in the Philippines during World War II.
Barney built two family homes through the years and helped friends and relatives with many construction projects. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed the association with many friends through golf. In younger years, he and Melvia enjoyed ballroom dancing and he was a basketball player in his youth. Barney was a man of few words but was very proud of his family and enjoyed their company most of all.
In addition to being a charter member of his church, he was a 50-year member of Mohassan Grotto, American Legion Carl Jacobsen Post 639 of Eldridge and had served on the Eldridge Volunteer Fire Department.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Melvia; his son, Gary (Carol) Ewoldt of Eldridge; his daughters, Suzanne Braack of Eldridge and Jane (Gary) Haase of Henderson, Nev.; six granddaughters, Kim Hartman, Pam Witt, Stacy Braack, Betsy Weil and Ashley and Megan Gruter; and seven great-grandchildren.
Barney was preceded in death by his grandson, Christopher Ewoldt; his sisters, Dorothy Sender and Elaine Randolph; his brother, Leonard Ewoldt; and his son-in-law, Dale Braack.