Christopher Ewoldt
April 5, 1967 ~ March 24, 2012
Christopher Ewoldt, 44, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, March 24, 2012. A Celebration of Life from 5:30 pm. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 15, 2012, at the Hiawatha Community Center, 101 Emmons Street, Hiawatha, Iowa. Survivors include his mother, Maralene James; son, Ryan; significant other, Ashley Eiben, all of Cedar Rapids; former wife, Lori Ewoldt of Hutchinson, Kansas; a special friend from high school, Traci Nemec of Cedar Rapids; his best friend, David Navratil of Marion; and many other loving family and friends. Chris was born April 5, 1967, in Cedar Rapids the son of Donald and Maralene (James) Ewoldt. He graduated from Kennedy High School in 1986. Chris enjoyed cooking and golf and was a fan of the New York Yankees and Kansas City Chiefs. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Ewoldt; and grandparents, Delmar and Ruth James and Henry and Viola Ewoldt.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
I don’t know what to say , Chris you’ve been my friend over 26 years and you’ve always made me smile . Take care my friend I will miss you .
So so sorry that you had to leave your friends and family so soon! RIP
sorry i forgot to light a candle for you!
Marlene, We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. We all have another guardian angel, taken way too soon, from our lives!!
To my old school friend, we will miss you greatly! May you find peace with our heavenly father and may your family seek his guidance to help them through.
We became friends 30 years ago. Such fond memories from high school and beyond. You will be missed dear friend. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Fly strong Chris
I was so sad to learn of Chris’ passing. Although we were not close friends in high school, I do remember his kindness toward me and toward all he encountered. I wish his family peace in this time of sorrow. — Cara Jo
You will always be remembered by your classmates. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so sad to hear about Chris’ passing. He was my brother-in-law for many years and I have so many good memories of spending time with him and Lori. My regards to Marlene and the rest of the family.
I used to work with Chris a few years ago; he was so much fun to be around. I am very sorry to hear that he has left us so early. Our loss is heaven’s gain; may he rest in peace. My deepest sympathy to his family.
It was with a heavy heart that I read of Chris’ untimely passing. He was always a very kind and positive person, and I will have nothing but good memories of any time we ever spoke. To his loved ones, I’m sorry for your loss.
Thank you for being our friend.
You will be missed my friend ! Nothing but good memories from the old days.
My sympathies to Chris’s family. Chris was a kind man and I have fond memories of him.
Chris was my “Rab” for many many years. We have so many great memories together. I will never be able to watch another Yankees game without shedding a tear. Hug “our” girl for me Rab. I will always love you and you will be in my heart forever. I hope you found the peace you could never find on this earth. Forever Lori
I’m so sorry to hear about Chris – we met through a mutual friend and I will always remember his smile and amazing sense of humor. God’s peace to his family and friends …
I was stunned to read of Chris’s passing… We became friends at work a few years ago. He always spoke of his Wonderful Mom and his love for Lori. You will be missed my friend. Peace be with you my friend…
Terry
Maralene,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I pray that the many happy memories will give you encouragement during this really sad time.
Brad and I are so sorry to hear about Chris’s passing. Our prays are with family and friends.
I was shocked to read about Chris’s passing. Chris was friends with my brother in school 30 years ago. I will remember him with the long hair coming to our house – he was always nice to me (being the little pest pain sister of his friend)
He will be greatly missed and I will always remember him!!
So sorry to his mother Maralene, son Ryan, Ashley and Lori ~ I will keep you all in my thoughts.
My mother and I both thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. I will always be grateful that I got to meet such a wonderful man, who taught me so much about life and love. I will always love Chris with my whole heart.
Maralene, my heart goes out to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this time. Godd Bless.
Chris you have been a good friend for years and you will be sadly missed. My you rest in peace my brother.
Maralene,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so sorry for your loss. No one imagines burying their children. If there is anything that I can do for you please let me know.
Jean
The Roast
Chris loved to cook and was always experimenting. Neither of us had ever used a “pressure cooker” before. We put a roast in and it blew up on us and pieces covered us and it stuck to the ceiling. LOL One of the first of many LOL stories I have. More to come.
Breakfast in Bed
I remember that I was having a really bad week at work and I was so stressed out. It was finally my day off and I didn’t want to do anything at all, but I knew that I had to get up and do laundry. When I woke up though I found that he had already done all my laundry and made me breakfast in bed as well. Chris was always doing thoughtful things like that without even beings asked. He made me always feel like his princess and always treated me as such.
Baseball
I remember last year when we were watching the Yankees play and I was never big into sports until I met Chris. Anyways it was the game that would determine if they went on in the playoffs or not and in the end they lost. Chris threw peanuts at the tv and then told me not to talk to him for at least and hour and he pouted. It was so cute and funny. I tried very hard not to laugh at his antics but I couldn’t help myself. He didn’t think it was too funny and in retaliation he tickled me until I screamed. I was always very serious and superstitious when it came to his sports and his favorite teams. I remember he used to say that if I ever liked the Boston Red Sox we’d break up and he would never talk to me again.Lol. Like Lori whenever I watch a Yankee game I’ll always think of Chris and what a huge fan he was.
I meet chris in 2005, The Blue Strawberry Coffee Shop Downtown Cedar Rapids, He used to come in almost every singe day and get a mocha with whip cream. For the longest time Chris would try to ask me out. I finally went out with Chris one night,and that’s how are relationship got started. We were together till 2007. I remember so many times I would sneak in to Chris’s mom’s house day and night and just to cuddle for hrs. I was always scared because I didn’t want Maralene to catch me, he said don’t don’t be scared come on..I did that for 2 years straight. Sorry Maralene!He was so funny and crazy. I will always remember is blue eyes in a heart beat. Lori I never met you before but Chris would talk about you all the time he was your soul mate, I know you had up and downs but he loved you with all his heart, that’s why I could only be friends with him, we were better friends then lovers. I think about him everyday, I always told him to put down the bottle, but he would never listen to me. Chris I know even thou you did not have a good relationship with God,you are in a good place.With love you always called me Baby…
Maralene, My prayers are with you and your sweet boy. You always told me, “There is something about a son!” Love you and miss you, Amanda
I am sorry to hear of the loss of Chris, He was a good friend to me in junior high and I have many good times with him to remember. My thoughts and prayers to his family
Thank you so many kind words for Chris and Chris and I together. The good times were GREAT!! And that will be what I remember about him. When he was by the ocean, sitting on the balcony and smoking a nice cigar I could truly see him at peace…that is where he always wanted to be. I will think of him floating somewhere out there….him and Becky together. I will miss them both dearly for the rest of my life. I will be scanning pictures this weekend from the last 20 years. Love you Rab!! BAKKK BAKKKKK
Naked in NYC
On one of our NYC trips to see the Yankees, we always stayed at the Michelangelo in Times Square, a really nice hotel. We were fooling around and chasing each other, Chris buck neeeked and me in a robe. I ran out in the hallway knowing he couldn’t follow…..but he did. Then the horror click of the door shutting behind him. I can still see the look on his face. LOL There was a window a couple of doors down and he wrapped the curtain around him. All I could do was laugh and him too. I had to go get a maid to let us in and she just stared at Chris standing there with only his head sticking out from behind the curtain.
Jon Bon Jovi
We took many trips to NYC. We went and had lunch in the Rainbow Room Grill in the NBC building. It was about 3pm. An incredible view of the city on the 77th floor I believe. On our way out we were the only two people walking in this HUGE main corridor…as we walked three people were walking towards us. As they got closer I realized it was Jon Bon Jovi, Tico Torres and an obvious bodyguard type person. As they got closer I was in a trance of course…JBJ made eye contact with me and smiled which caused me to completely stop. Chris had an iron grip on me and I couldn’t even speak. They got into the elevator and I was so mad at Chris from keeping me from….well um probably making a fool of myself. His exact words were….I knew you would try and lick his face and grab his butt as I was notoriously know for grabbing butts (see the Mayor Rudy G story) LOL Later on we realized they were hosting Saturday Night Live and it tapes at 4:30 for that nights showing. We laid in bed watching it laughing our butts off……so many good NYC stories. Lori
Loved Chis alot I play golf with him in Hutchinson Kansas. He was good. Auntie sandy.
You will be missed Chris.
Chris meant more to me then anyone will ever know. Since the day Ryan was born I have seen Chris in his eyes and actions. Ryan is so glad he got a chance to spend some time with him but it wasn’t enough. He is crushed. He will forever be in our thoughts and prayers.
I was in California when you left this world. I wish I could have been with you during your last moments of life. I miss you so much. I love you Dad. You will always be my guardian angel.
Chris and I go way back–he was my 1st boyfriend (2nd grade–Mrs. Parr’s class!)
Whenenver Chris and my paths crossed, there was always that connection of a true old friend… where it seemed like no time had passed at all.
I am forever grateful that I had a “chance” meeting with Chris at the old “7-11” in “the neighborhood” only several weeks ago on a Wednesday night. We talked long and laughed and I cried about his sickness, and left feeling a great love for his kindness, friendship, and essance.
My thoughts and prayers are with Chris, his family, and friends
Chris I hope you are happy and all is good. Knowing you are not here is heartbreaking for me. I miss you. Spring training is almost over….what will I do not being able to call you to watch and complain/enjoy and scream and yell to? Rab I wish I could have done something better for you. Hug that damn dog for me will ya? Always Lori
Hey Chris it’s so hard being without you. I miss seeing your smile and waiting to watch Yankee games with you and how excited you get with each game. Tell my Papa that I saw hello and that I’ll see you both later. I love you forever.
Ashely, Chris was married to Lori with kindness step back and let her be the wife and let her take care of everything,Thanks
Lori,
My sincere thoughts of peace to you, in relation to Chris’s passing. From the times you talked about him, I could feel the love and caring thoughts that would always be there between the two of you. From what I know “Chris…drove his own car” ya know? Some friends asked him to slow down, some asked for him to stop, some asked for him to just pull over and rest. Chris drove his own car. I know you tried and that is all some people can do. Bless you my friend and God Bless Chris. Always, Bob
Tomorrow would be your 45th birthday Rab. How I wish I could be wishing you Happy Birthday instead of writing on this damn wall and only being able to think of you and not talk to you. So many memories, thoughts, plans….they say time heals but every day seems to be more of an eye opener that you are truly gone. My mind doesn’t want to accept that. How I wish I didn’t have to. I will miss you and cherish every moment we shared….the good, the great and the not so great. You will always be my Rab.
The Proposal
Chris proposed to me in the Comfort Inn in Cedar Rapids on 4/5/91. He had rented a room for us and called me and asked me to meet him there. It was early evening and the room was completely dark except for the 100 candles he had lit surrounding the stuffed Winnie the Pooh bear holding my ring. There were rose petals laying everywhere and a bottle of champagne chilling. He was 23…so young. So cute and sweet. He said he never really liked celebrating his birthday so this would be the way we would celebrate it every year. He could be so sweet and thoughtful. Much love to you forever Chris…my Rab you will always be. Never forgotten or put aside. I give you my word.
Lori you are right it is going to be hard knowing Chris would be 45 today and that he isn’t here for us to celebrate with him. Bob was also right, Chris always went his own way. That is one of the things I loved most about him. It is a type of courage I wish I had.
Chris was my first nephew. Today, he would have been 45…always easy for me to remember our age difference, because I was just 11 when he was born and I became an aunt for the first time. I remember walking home from school to my sister Maralene’s house to hold him for the first time when they came home from the hospital. We lost my mom (Chris’ grandmother) and 3 days later we lost Chris. Too much for any family. I told my mom on Sunday, March 18th that we were worried we were going to lose her and Chris at about the same time, not knowing how true that was going to be. I wished so many things for you Chris and our love for you will always be there.
RIP my friend….
Chris, I thought of you so many times today, every time I wrote today’s date at work, at least 40 times, I thought of you. I wished you a Happy Birthday. You were also my first and my only nephew. I was sixteen when you were born and was so proud that I was chosen to be one of your Godmother’s. You were such a cute, sweet baby. So quiet and well mannered. I am comforted that I talked to you on Saturday morning the 17th of March. I told you I was praying for you and loved you. May you forever rest in peace. My love to Chris, forever.
i want to say to all chris friends & family also friends golf budies
all thank you so very much
for sharing your memories
with ashley and myself.
it has been hard but i
know that chris and my mom
are comparing their lifes.
hopefully we will ball find
peace… it will take a while.
Ashley and your Mom were so
helpfull with Chris last days
on this old world.
Ryan Chris talked about you
so often. thankyou for being
their for him. chris enjoyed
basebase ballgames too.
chris i will miss your good
cooking. Maypeace be with
you and everyone else
love you always Mom & family
I just wanted to say thank you to Lori for becoming my friend through this difficult time in both our lives and being happy that Chris and I found one another. I also want to invite any of Chris’s friends to come to the Celebration of Life this Sunday from 5:30 to 9 at the Hiawatha Comm. Center. We will be having a ballon release with notes attached so the messages will get to Chris. Anyone is more then welcome to attend. My mom, Maralene, Lori and I will all be there and hope that whoever wants to attend will.
I thank everyone who was able to come to Chris’s Celebration of Life. I know that it wasn’t easy to know that such a wonderful person, who brought so much light and beauty to this world is truly gone from our lives. It brought closure in some ways and in other ways it openned wounds that are still raw and hurting. I know that I will always love Chris and that he is watching over those that he loved and who loved him. Someday we will all get to see him once more but it will seem like an eternity to us to have to know that we can no longer see his wonderful smile and hear his infectious laugh, except in our own hearts and minds. I know that life will go on, but I really wish that he was here to spend it with.
Day before last
This is a story that I wasn’t sure if I should or could share with other people. It was Friday and we had finally gotten in touch with Hospice and after Chris talked with one of the nurses Lolly alone he called me into our room. I crawled in bed beside him and cuddled up to his side, as much as I could without hurting him. I took his hand and laid my head on his shoulder. He kissed my the top of my head and squeezed my hand and asked if I would hold his hand until the end. I told him I would forever hold his hand. I told him that I would never love anyone like I love him. He told me that he knew that and that he loved me too. I know that that was the most precious and wonderful moment of my life. Even though he is gone now and my heart hurts so bad I would never go back and not be with him for the two loved filled years we had together or the last week we had together. He will always be my one and only. I love you Chris. See you later my love.
I still can’t believe you are gone. I was watching a Yankee game…the first I could bring myself to watch and I literally reached for my phone to call you. I will miss all the games we watched and went to. And also watched over the phone together. Man Chris I miss you. I hope you are happy.
I watched a Yankee game last night and thought of you the entire time. I know that you were probably watching in heaven and yelling because they lost. I miss when you’d watch the Yankees and pout when they’d lose. I just miss you. Love you always.
happy thanksgiving to everyone that cared and loved
chris…. it’s been hard since you and grandma have been gone. i had a good early thanksgiving with ryan and julie & joyced. you have
a very special son, that still loves you along with
your family. i think of the meals you cooked wish you
could still be here well, so we could enjoy all of now.
you will always be our special friend in heaven.
happy holidays to all & thanks for caring ..
Chris- I have looked for you off and on for years and it is so heavy on my heart to find you like this. I am filled with so much grief knowing you are no longer here. You left a huge impact on my life and although we were over too fast, it was enough for me. I’m glad you finally found your happiness with Lori… Rest in Peace Chris…
It’s been one year today since you’ve passed and it’s still hard to believe that
you’re gone. I still expect at times to see you in the kitchen cooking or yelling at a Yankees game. Until I see you again, know I love you and always will.
It has been over a year since you left us. We think of you every day. I am getting to know your son, Ryan, and he is such a handsome boy. Ryan’s mother is so much help to me as well. My sisters will be here in CR soon and we’ll be remembering our love for you. We are surviving Midwest storms this spring and think of you often. Love, Mom.
It’s been 2 years ago today that you left us, Chris. We were shocked and saddened to lose you, not knowing you were so close to death. I wish you had not kept that from your mom and the rest of us. You are not forgotten and much missed and loved.
Your aunt,
Dee Ann
You and I would have been married 17 years today…..I think of that special day every minute today. I can’t believe you are actually gone. I talk to you a lot so I hope you are paying attention. Love you always Rab and hug that damn dog for me!! I miss you too sooooo very much. I look at our pictures almost daily. I truly loved you Christopher!