Wayne Ewert
Wayne Ewert, of Billings, Mont., died early Jan. 7, 2009, at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Billings, from complications resulting from a brain tumor.
Wayne was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, son, sibling, and friend.
Wayne was born Nov. 19, 1946, in Marion, to Harold and Doris Ewert. He began to work as a young boy and continued to let the world challenge him as he explored and learned the lessons that it had to teach.
He graduated with a double major in mathematics and geology in 1969 from Kansas State University.
He married Linda McElwain Sept. 1, 1967, and they began their glorious adventure that included living and working in Quito, Ecuador, Iquitos, Peru in the Amazon basin, and Guatemala, traveling the world, dancing to their own beat, raising two children, and teaching others what true love is.
Wayne possessed character that was genuine and natural. He was raised in an environment that was steeped in faith, and he lived his life based on faith with his church, his family, and his community. He was a hard worker and that was evident in his career, his friendships, and in his home and family. He was dependable and strong, and his personality was magnetic. He loved his work as a geophysicist where he learned how we can survive and build a relationship with the most difficult elements of earth. He played a pivotal role in the exploration and discovery of oil in North, Central, and South America. He honored the environment and enjoyed spending time outdoors with his family hunting, fishing, exploring, and teaching how we can be responsible members of a delicate circle of life. His colleagues held him with much respect and admiration for his accomplishments and lessons. He challenged people to think and to educate themselves and develop their own ideas on topics that are popular to oppose. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor and the jokes he recycled from the funny papers and e-mails. His laugh could fill a room.
Wayne was a father. He defined FATHER and everything that role entitles a man to be. He provided, supported, and loved his children with unconditional love. He taught them to become people whom he was proud of and in turn could be proud of his consistent role in their everyday lives. His children loved him and felt blessed with from such a man to learn. His children chose life partners who he embraced as his own children.
Shane and wife, Robbyn, and Shannon and husband, Dirk, gave Wayne his most cherished treasures, his four grandchildren. They brought him such joy and he taught them lessons of life that only a person who has truly lived a great life can teach. His physical absence will be missed greatly, but there is no doubt his spirit will continue guide, teach, and love his family.
Wayne was preceded in death by his father, Harold, and father-in-law, Robert McElwain.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Shane and wife, Robbyn, Shannon and husband Dirk, all of Billings; his grandchildren, Dillon, Alex, Sara, Dayne, and baby Toney due in June; his mother, Doris, of Marion; mother-in-law, Charlotte McElwain, of Hutchinson; his brothers, Max and wife, Gerry, of Gunnison, Colo., Gene and wife, Kathy, of Neodesha, Gary and wife, Elaine, of Marion; sister, Donna and husband, Jerome, Hajek of Marion; sister-in-law, Toni Loewen and husband, Richard of Hutchinson; brother-in-law, Chuck McElwain and wife, Dina of Alturas, Calif.; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless family friends and members of his church family. He will be missed by all.
Services were at 10 a.m. Monday at Hope United Methodist Church, Billings. Visitation was Sunday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, Billings.
Memorials can be made in lieu of flowers to Hope United Methodist Church c/o Wayne Ewert for the Hope Chancel Choir or the Children’s Playground Fund, or the Billings Geophysical Social Scholarship Fund, PO Box 3481, Billings MT 59103.