Earl Ladewig, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died January 8, 2019, 10 days shy of his hundredth birthday. Born in Harvey, Illinois on January 18, 1919, Earl, a twin, was the youngest of six boys. Sadly, his twin sister, Ruth lived only 3 weeks.
After high school, Earl became an apprentice baker but was drafted into the army just weeks before the United States entered World War II. On January 17, 1942, in a moment of great good fortune, Earl met Freda Hurd at his first USO dance in Denver. They married four months later on May 18th and shared a life of love and joy for 54 years until Freda’s death in 1996.
Earl was honorably discharged in October, 1945 and returned to the baking business. He and Freda bought a house in Englewood, a home he lived in until his passing. After four years as a civilian, Earl re-enlisted in the Air Force, where he served for almost 29 years. He retired in 1974 as a Chief Master Sergeant, the highest non-commissioned officer (NCO) rank available. To this day many of his family and friends referred to him as “Chief.” Others call him “Pop” or “Dad.”
While Earl was still on active duty, tragedy struck: in 1968, oldest son Melvin was shot down over North Vietnam and was declared MIA. To this day the POW/MIA flag has a place of honor in the Ladewig home.
The Air Force provided many amazing experiences for the Ladewigs. Except for one stint in England, Earl’s family was able to accompany him on all his assignments, which included tours in Rabat, Morocco; Myrtle Beach, SC; and Athens, Greece. All of Earl’s children have delightful stories to tell of their experiences during the Chief’s tours.
Travel was an important part of life for the family. Freda and Earl took many wonderful trips together and with various family members. Their passports were well used indeed!
Following his retirement, Earl and Freda returned to their home in Denver, where he worked for the state of Colorado for 9 years until his second retirement in 1983. During these years sons married, grandchildren were born, then great-grandchildren, and the Ladewigs reveled in their close-knit family.
Pop was an active, fun-loving man, always ready for an adventure. He taught all his sons to camp and loved sharing time with them in the wilderness. Then, too, whether it was downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, or even water skiing, he loved to explore any activity to spend time with his family. Pop also climbed several of Colorado’s 14ers, his last at age 83! Perhaps his greatest adventure, however, came when he went sky diving as a spry 95-year-old. The family waited for his landing in nervous anticipation but he loved it!
There are so many stories to share – Earl, the volunteer bus driver in Morocco, transporting children to events and on tours all over the country. Earl, the American Red Cross volunteer, driving neighbors to medical appointments and traveling across the country to assist victims of floods and earthquakes. Earl, the father, who taught his sons to be good, loving men; who cherished his only daughter and delighted in her; who attended many of his children’s games and sporting events – and what an active group they were! Earl, the father-in-law, who welcomed his daughters-in-law and made each one feel she was an important part of the family. Earl, the grandfather, who loved to tease and spend time with his grandchildren and who took such pride in them. Earl, the bon vivant, who loved pub crawling and even has a tap named for him at a local brewery. Earl, the friend, who still had ties from friendships formed decades ago.
Earl Ladewig truly was an exceptional man. He was deeply loved and he will be missed.
Earl is survived by seven children: In Denver – Timothy (Patricia) Ladewig, Harry, Marie, Duane (Jeanne), and Roy; in Colorado Springs – Robert (Alys) Ladewig; and in Kingwood, Texas – James (Sandra) Ladewig. He also has 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Freda Juanita (Hurd), his sons Melvin and William, his parents, and all his siblings and their spouses.
A Visitation for Earl will be held Thursday, January 17, 2019 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, 6601 S. Colorado Blvd, Centennial, Colorado 80121. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 am, Friday, January 18, 2019 at St. Louis Catholic Church, 3310 S. Sherman St, Englewood, CO 80113. A Committal Service will occur Friday, January 18, 2019 at 12:30 pm at Fort Logan National Cemetery - Staging Area B, 4400 W. Kenyon Ave, Denver, CO 80236.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Earl's name to the American Red Cross, 444 Sherman St, Denver, CO 80203, https://www.redcross.org/local/colorado.html.
