Sep. 29, 1920 – Dec. 27, 2012
Elwyn Kiplinger was born in Bushnell, Nebraska, the second oldest of three sons and three daughters. His parents were Katherine Hazel and Benjamin Aretus (Rete) Kiplinger. Following his graduation from Wheat Ridge High School, he attended Colorado University in Boulder, Colorado until World War II began and he joined the United States Army. He served as an ambulance driver, landing at Utah Beach shortly after the D-Day invasion. After his discharge as a private first class, he returned to the University of Colorado, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He married Grace Nelson Brown on June 19, 1949 at Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church and they were together until Grace’s death. Together they raised four children: Carole, Kathy, John, and Pat. Elwyn worked 34 years for the Bureau of Reclamation. At the time of his retirement in 1977, he was “Head, Analyses & Data Section, Office of Design and Construction”.
Elwyn was a lifelong member of Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church. As a child, he attended with his parents. It was there that he met and married Grace. Elwyn served in many leadership roles in the church. He attended the Homesteaders Sunday School class until December 2011 when his health prevented him from continuing to do so.
Both Elwyn and Grace were active in the Wheat Ridge Grange (#155). They were instrumental in efforts that led to the building of the present Grange Hall. Elwyn served as State Grange Treasurer for sixteen years, served two terms on the State Executive Committee, co-chaired the committee that brought the National Grange Convention to Colorado in 1992, and helped organize the Leadership Scholarship Foundation, serving as treasurer of the foundation for eight years. An especially important activity for Elwyn and Grace was Share Colorado, an example of their lifetime commitment to sharing with and caring for others. Wheat Ridge Grange recognized him for 70 years of membership on May 17, 2011.
Family was always important to Elwyn and Grace. Their house remained open to any and all who came to town, and was the scene of many memorable events. They also enjoyed camping and fishing. With friends and family, Elwyn would hunt deer, elk, and antelope, supplying meat for the family during the Colorado winters. His large garden also helped stock the family freezer.
Elwyn died in his sleep at Heritage Club Greenwood Village, following problems associated with a series of strokes. He is survived by his twin sisters, Irene Alcott and Lorene Starbuck and his brother, Leland (Barbara) Kiplinger; his daughters, Carole A. Oldemeyer, Kathryn L. (Dr. James R.) Bartsch, and Patricia L. (David E.) Stenger; and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Nancy L. Archuleta (Alyssa and Jeremy Archuleta), Janice K. (Ron Kemp) Oldemeyer (Mattis), Dr. J. Bradley (Tracy) Oldemeyer (Benjamin and Abby Oldemeyer), Dr. Jason (Rosanna Chase) Bartsch (Parker Bartsch), Kyle Bartsch, Meghan L. Stenger, and Elizabeth A. Stenger. Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Grace (April 25, 2012), and their son, John Howard.
A Memorial Service celebrating Elwyn’s life will be held at Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church, 7530 West 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, on Monday, January 21st at 11:00. He will be laid to rest with military honors at Crown Hill Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Colorado State Grange Leadership Scholarship Foundation through the Colorado State Grange (7275 S. Lima Street, Centennial, CO 80112), or to the Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church.
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