Irwin James Eleson died on February 27 in Helena, Montana. He was 93 years old.
He was born on December 5, 1921 to Loyd and Maude Violet Eleson in Elk Point, South Dakota. He was the youngest of four brothers (Clarence, Ernest and Floyd) and grew up on the family ranch near Crawford, Nebraska.
In 1944, Irwin met Marie Soester and they married in 1946. Irwin and Marie had a marriage that was a testament to love. They were devoted to each other and to the Christian faith that became a significant part of their lives beginning in 1948 when they got involved with Bethel Bible Church. So important was their belief in God and practice of Christianity that in 1952, they decided to leave the family ranch so that Irwin could attend seminary at the Omaha Bible Institute. He graduated in 1957 and was ordained as a minister the same year. His first and only church was the Oaks Community Church, a non-denominational church located between Henderson and Emerson, Iowa where he and his family lived for 4 years. After that, he worked briefly as a field representative at the Ozark Bible Institute and was a traveling minister for a short time, preaching in churches around the country, with his family providing the musical program for each service. In 1964, Irwin took a job with what was then the Yellowstone Boys Ranch (Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch) in Billings, Montana where he worked until his first “retirement” in 1993 and then until his final retirement in 2011. For most of his years at YBGR, he was a field representative and worked tirelessly with ranchers in the Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota region obtaining donations of calves, horses, land, mineral rights and cash contributions that helped YBGR expand and improve its services to children. He loved his job and traveled thousands of miles each year to work with hundreds of ranching families in the region. It was his knowledge of their work that made ranchers respect him, but it was his passion for the mission of the YGBR that made him so successful at his job. He believed that children were better off after being cared for by the YGBR.
Irwin and Marie had five children: Linda Marie (Fjelstad); Cindy Anne (Christensen); William James; Thomas Lee; and Charity Joy. They had nine grand-children: Kim, Michelle, Lisa, Melinda, Shelly, Scott, Katyana, Celia and Tevis. They had thirteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, three brothers, wife, Marie, and eldest daughter, Linda.
We will remember this man as a force of nature who had a thousand stories to tell. He was a committed and devoted husband and a man who was honest and generous with those he met. He taught us the value of work and honesty and a love of the earth. He loved his life and lived it with strength, joy and integrity.
A funeral service celebrating Irwin’s life is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 6th at the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Chapel, 1732 South 72nd Street West, Billings, MT. There will be a reception following the service in the Dining Hall located across from the Chapel. The burial will follow the reception at the Terrace Gardens Cemetery, 304 34th Street West, Billings, MT. There will be a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7th at the Helena Alliance Church, 1400 Stuart Street, Helena. Memorial donations in Irwin’s name may be sent to the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, 1732 South 72nd Street West, Billings, MT, 59106 or to a charity of donor’s choice. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Irwin.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday March 6, 2015
Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Chapel
1732 South 72nd Street West
Billings , Montana 59106
Reception
Following the service
Friday March 6, 2015
Dining Hall (across from the Chapel)
1732 South 72nd Street West
Billings , Montana 59106
Burial
Following the Reception
Friday March 6, 2015
Terrace Gardens Cemetery
304 34th Street West
Billings , Montana 59102
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday March 7, 2015
Helena Alliance Church
1400 Stuart Street
Helena , Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday March 6, 2015
Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Chapel
1732 South 72nd Street West
Billings , Montana 59106
Reception
Following the service
Friday March 6, 2015
Dining Hall (across from the Chapel)
1732 South 72nd Street West
Billings , Montana 59106
Burial
Following the Reception
Friday March 6, 2015
Terrace Gardens Cemetery
304 34th Street West
Billings , Montana 59102
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday March 7, 2015
Helena Alliance Church
1400 Stuart Street
Helena , Montana 59601
Angie & Carl says
Cindy, Kim, Lisa & Shelly, our deepest sympathy to you and your families, love & prayers.
nancy rose says
Irwin and I became very good friends at Hunters Point. He kept me from going off of the sidewalk in my wheelchair as we went around the building on warm sunny days together. We shared scriptures together over cups of hot chocolate. I am very grateful for his help with things I could not do or could not reach. I am sure that he is much happier in heaven. I look forward to seeing him up there someday
Erv & Carol Kent says
We enjoyed our visits with you and your many interesting stories.
Erv and Carol Kent
Debbie Kent & Steve Rice says
Our hearts are with you during this time. Irwin was an amazing person who inspired many people. Officiating Kim and Rod’s wedding, the stories he shared at family gatherings, and his gift of lighting up a room, are all wonderful memories we will treasure. A true Montana cowboy rides into the sunset.
Rudy says
A humorous rememory: When Irwin visited us in Tucson, he said he’d like to go down to Mexico (only 90 miles south of us). We drove him down and crossed over into Mexico–his first visit “south of the border”. After meandering down the crowded sidewalks of Nogales, we stopped for lunch. Being in Mexico and having the opportunity to enjoy some authentic Mexican food, Super-cautious Irwin brushed off our suggestions for what he might like to try, and said, “I’ll just have a BLT!!”
All the way to Mexico for a BLT! We laughed and laughed.
Dave Drullinger says
I know the Lord Jesus was delighted to welcome Irwin home. I met him when I attended Open Door Bible Camp near Chadron, NE over 60 years ago. He was a compassionate man. I remember jumping into his upper bunk bed during a severe thunder storm. I was scared to death, he was quiet and reassuring. We never talked about it after, but I’ll never forget it.
I’ve been in ministry now for over 50 years, now serving in South Africa. I know the investment and prayers of men like Irwin Ellison shaped my life for eternity.
Glory to God!
Dave Drullinger
ABWE/South Africa
Jennifer Vincent lambert says
Prayers to the family during this time. I have known Irwin for a long time and what at Godly man he was! I enjoyed all of his stories he had and will never forget the warm hug and smile every time I saw him! He will be missed!
Lana Cooper says
I met Irwin while was visiting my Uncle up at Hunters Pointe. He shared a table with my Uncle during mealtimes. Every Sunday I would eat lunch with my Uncle and I would get to listen to Irwin share his stories of the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch. He was wonderful to listen to and he was such a good person. My condolences to the family.
Gerald A. Miller says
I grew up attending rural Bethel Church, located southeast of Whitney, NE -and Irwin married my 7th grade rural school teacher when she was Marie Soester and her auctioneered the “pie supper” to buy some needed supplies for our school. He was a good man, loved his wife and family, and was faithful Christian. I left the area after I completed Chadron State College, worked in Topeka as a junior high teacher and counselor, and then 25 years as Dir. of Demographic Services (Pupil Accounting), and retired in 1993, and over our 58 years of marriage, my wife, Helen and I have given leadership in our church. Our 2 children and 7 grandchildren are active in their respective churches, here and in Maryland and helped I helped start and build a local youth ranch in Lawrence, KS area under the auspices of Youth for Christ . Our sympathy to each member of Irwin and Marie’s family – just wanted to let you all know that they both blessed my life!! Gerald & Helen Miller
Laurie & Pat DeLong says
We met Irwin at Hunter’s Pointe when Mom moved in. Irwin was often in the lobby area, and was always welcoming, friendly and kind. We often visited with him about his career at Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch, and he was so glad to have been of service to that organization. We were sorry to not be able to attend his service in Helena. He was such a nice man, and we were proud to know him. Our condolences to his family, and we want you to know his light of kindness shined in his smile throughout his time at Hunters Pointe.