Edward Paul Wasinger

Edward Paul “Eddie” Wasinger passed away Monday, April 24, at the age of 91. Eddie was born January 14, 1932, in Chicago, IL to Edward Peter Wasinger and Laura Elberta Wasinger (née Holton). In 1943 the family moved to Santa Ana, CA, where Eddie attended Lathrop Junior High School and then Santa Ana High School, where he graduated in 1950. Eddie earned a Bachelor's Degree in Theology from Life Bible College in Los Angeles, CA. He graduated and was ordained in the Foursquare Gospel Church in 1955. Eddie married Carol Ruth Hoard (née Bird) in Santa Ana, on August 14, 1954. They accepted a pastoral appointment at the Foursquare Church in Missoula, MT in September of the same year, as they also looked forward to missionary service in South America. Eddie served (as Senior Pastor, Youth Leader, Choir Director, etc. ) for five years. Eddie and Carol had three children: John Stephen, James Allen and Janys Lynn. The couple divorced in 1965. In addition to his church duties, Eddie worked as a meter reader and eventually an accountant for the Montana Power Company in Missoula from 1955 to 1988. Eddie married Shirley Marie Alldritt of Missoula, at the Congregational Church in Ipswich, SD on July 29, 1967. They lived in Missoula until the fall of 1969, then moved to Lolo, MT where they remained until his death. He played softball for many years as a pitcher and often coach for multiple Missoula teams. He was a talented singer, a member of the First Christian (Disciples) Church Choir and the Mendelssohn Club. In 1990, he became a licensed minister with the United Church of Christ. Eddie was an avid runner and fisherman and enjoyed hiking and camping with Shirley, his children and grandchildren. Eddie and Shirley (often with the kids and/or grandkids) regularly floated the Bitterroot, trekked to Glacier National Park, and explored the remote mountain lakes of Montana and Idaho, as well as the Pacific Coast and Canada. Eddie is survived by his wife, Shirley Marie Wasinger of Lolo MT; sons, John (Phyllis) Wasinger of Spokane, WA and James (Tammie) Wasinger of Hayden, ID, daughter Janys Spurlock of Billings; Carol's son, Joel Miguel (Chrissy) Wasinger of Plano, TX, accepted into Eddie and Shirley's family after Carol's death. Six grandchildren, James Robert, Samantha; Jason, Daniel, Corey; and Christine; and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother and father and half siblings, Arthur Andrew Nordstrand, Pearl Blanche Nordstrand and Ruth Beatrice Nordstrand. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 29, 1 PM at the First Christian Church, 2701 South Russell Street, Missoula, MT, 59801. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the church in Ed's name