Edwin Lewis Ordway

Edwin Lewis Ordway, 97, died Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes.

Cremation has taken place, and his memorial service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with Father Dale Yurkovic officiating.

Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the St. Jude Parish Center immediately after the graveside services. Memorial contributions in Edwin's honor may be made to Knights of Columbus, c/o Robert Christeck, 220 Centurion St., Havre, MT 59501.

Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Edwin Lewis Ordway was born Aug. 27, 1912, in Lawton,

N. D., to Nellie Purdy and Ernest C. Ordway. He was the second of seven children. He received his schooling in Lakota, N.D. At the age of 22, during the Great Depression, he enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps and served two years. He came to Kremlin, Mont., to work for his uncle on the farm.

Eventually he was able to purchase his own farm land north of Fresno. He farmed until 1979. Edwin married Eileen Vosen of Kremlin on June 29, 1938. They made their home in Kremlin and raised their three children.

They enjoyed 69 years of marriage together before Eileen passed away in 2007. In 1966 they moved from Kremlin to Havre, where they made their home. In 1998 the couple moved to the Eagle's Manor and to Northern Montana Care Center in 2007.

For 18 years they were snowbirds, spending their winters in Apache Junction, Ariz. Ed was a lifetime member of St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. He was very active in the Knights of Columbus. He also belonged to the Elks, Eagles and Lions clubs. He served on the board of directors for the Farmers Union for many years.

Ed loved playing cards. He would spend the winters passing the time away with his buddies, playing cards. Ed was a quiet, gentle man with a big smile and a twinkle in his eyes.

He was a devoted family man and friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Eileen; one son, Raymond Ordway; four brothers, Pat, William, Leo and Robert Ordway; and one sister, Rose.

Edwin is survived by his two daughters, Sylvia (Alvin) Donner and Janice (Tom) Roberts all of Havre, Mont.; one sister, Alpha Anderson of Fargo, N.D.; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.