Howard J. Eldrenkamp
November 16, 2010
The Reverend Howard John Eldrenkamp died Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at the Wesley Acres Austin Center in Des Moines. A service of the celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 4, 2010 at the Urbandale United Church of Christ in Urbandale, Iowa.
Howard was born on October 15, 1922 in the family farmhouse in Rock Falls, Illinois. His parents were John Eldrenkamp and A. Evaline Brown Eldrenkamp. He attended a one room school, East Coloma rural School, until the 8th grade. He later attended Rock Falls High School and graduated in 1941. He also attended both the University of Illinois and Illinois Wesleyan, graduating with a BA in English in 1947 from Wesleyan. During the WWII years he helped on his grandfather’s farm amidst his time at college.
Howard met Florence Jean Rode while at Illinois Wesleyan and they were married September 3, 1949. He and Flo proceeded to move west to Denver, Colorado in 1950 to attend the Illif School of Theology, his having graduated in 1953 with a Master’s of Theology. He served a student parish in Louisville, CO during his graduating year.
He later served in several Iowa United Methodist parishes. The first full-time ministry call was in a three-point charge at Preston, Miles and Sabula. He later served Iowa in Nora Springs, Monticello, Kingsley, Britt and Eldora. Howard retired from formal ministry in 1987 after 35 years serving as a pastor.
Howard was a prolific poet, having participated in the State of Iowa Lyric Contest and was included among the published poets for 18 consecutive years. He was also active in attending performance events at the Des Moines Civic Center, an active member of PFLAG and with the United Church of Christ of Urbandale Diversity Choir.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister Catharine McKenna and loving wife Florence.
His survivors include children Stephen (Lori) of Ottumwa, IA, Mark (Joanne) of Woodbridge, NJ, Paul (Anne) of Newton, MA, James of Chicago, Il, Mart of Boulder, CO and Elizabeth (Skip) Sobiech of Stacy, MN. His grandchildren are Daniel, Will, Kristina, Erika, Olivia, Gracieanne, Corby and Madeleina. He is also survived by several cousins in the Rock Falls and Sterling, Illinois area.
Dad has been referred to as the “ambassador” for Wesley Acres for the past few years. His friendly, caring and empathetic demeanor allowed him to be very popular at Wesley Acres. His death is a loss to all at the facility. Memorials may be contributed to the United Church of Christ in Urbandale, the Wesley Acres Community Room and the Howard Eldrenkamp Benevolent Fund for Wesley Acres employees at Wesley Acres.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Jean Barnett Swenson
12/09/2010
We were sorry to read of your dad's death in the Des Moines Register. Paul & I have fond memories of him . . . .and of all of you! He obviously did something "right" with me, in that I'm very active in my UMC, and also serve on committees in the District and Conference! I'm a member of MFSA, and have always worked on social justice issues . . . . not very successfully, however!
Please know that we are thinking of your family at this difficult time. (Both of my parents are deceased, so I understand the "work" involved in tying up the loose ends.)
I have given a small memorial to PFLAG as a remembrance.
Jean Swenson
Phil and Rebecca Carver
12/03/2010
Dear Eldrenkamps,
Rebecca and I were saddened to learn of Howard's death. He has served as a role model to both of us in the Iowa Conference. We admired both his courage and compassion in seeking a more just and humane world. Our prayers are with you in this time of loss. May God's peace enfold you.
John & Zoe Helgerson
12/01/2010
Steve, We are so sorry to hear of your loss.
Mike Lorenz
12/01/2010
Please accept my condolences at your loss. I knew and worked with Beth in college in Iowa City, and wanted to pass along my sympathies to you and your family. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Regards,
Mike Lorenz
Marion, Iowa
bonnie (smith) melohn
11/30/2010
my sympathy goes out to the family for the loss of your dad. i am a member of the britt united methodist church, and remember reverand eldrenkamp. he was a really nice reverand and i enjoyed his sermons. i know that has been a long time ago. my sympathy again to you all.
Jim Miles-Polka
11/23/2010
Howard was a patient inspiration to me for many years after my family moved to Des Moines in late 1987. First Howard (with Florence) provided leadership in our work, shortly after we moved to Iowa, with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (later renamed Clarion Alliance). Then when my Mom moved to Wesley Acres recently, I reconnected with Howard and enjoyed talking to him and sharing quips when we'd serendipitously find each other in the hall, the dining room or wherever. I know Howard very much enjoyed singing at Wesley and I'm sure others there were inspired by his enthusiasm in this endeavor also. I hold Howard and Florence in my heart as a couple who demonstrated love for each other and love for humans in general. Truly inspirational as patient, loving and open-hearted.