Mary Lewis
Beacon. Mary Lewis, 81, of Beacon, died peacefully in her sleep on May 9, 2011, at her home in Beacon. She was born March 26, 1930, at Ottumwa, the daughter of Otto and Wilmathe Swank Steele. Mary was raised by her grandmother, Sarah Steele. She graduated from the Eddyville High School with the class of 1948. On February 15, 1948, Mary was united in marriage to Paul Lewis at Eddyville. Early in their married life, Mary was a stay-at-home mom and raised their children. After the children were raised, she worked at the old Casey’s General Store at Beacon, and worked the early shift in the kitchen making doughnuts, and later pizza’s, and retired in 2009 after 27 years of service. Mary delighted in spending time with her family, especially baking and decorating cakes for her grandchildren. Neighborhood kids also always looked forward to the cakes she would bake them for birthdays. She enjoyed cooking, and playing solitaire; and was a Iowa State Cyclone fan; and enjoyed bowling in her younger days. Mary was an active member of the Lady Eagles and had been on the Drill Team.
Her family includes her husband, Paul Lewis of Beacon; their children: Mike (& Ellen) Lewis of Rose Hill, Diane (& Brett) Else, Oskaloosa, Bill (& Jennifer) Lewis, Oskaloosa, Denise Feeney (& Pat LaFollette) of Beacon, and Jimmy Lewis of Rose Hill; 16 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews including a special niece, Mary Ann (& Ward) Ransford of Eddyville.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers: Donald and Delbert Steele.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel, Oskaloosa, with the Reverend Jason Gutzmer officiating. Cremation will follow the funeral service. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Tuesday after 1 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel on Tuesday from 6 – 8 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Pella.
Source: Bates Funeral Chapel
