Lewis, RetaMae (1921-2011)
LEWIS, BROOKER, DOW
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 11/18/2011 at 23:59:50
RetaMae Lewis
July 28, 1921 - November 13, 2011FOREST CITY - RetaMae Lewis, age 90, of Forest City, died Sunday, November 13, 2011, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt, Iowa.
RetaMae Lewis, the daughter of Elmer and Bonnie (Dow) Brooker, was born July 28, 1921, at her parents' home eight miles west of Forest City. When two years old, she moved with her parents and brother, Wayne, southeast of Forest City where she lived until her marriage. She attended a rural school nearby and graduated from Forest City High School with a normal training certificate. RetaMae later taught at a rural school.
On July 26, 1942, she married Lloyd Lewis. They moved to Austin, Minnesota, where he was employed at Hormel until called into service. She followed him later to California when he was stationed in Fresno, California, and Santa Maria, California. While there, she was employed in the Civil Service at the base offices. They were moved to the Orlando, Florida, base and then to Montgomery, Alabama, where Lloyd was discharged.
After returning home from the service, they lived and were employed in Britt. They then joined in a family partnership and started the original "Hi-Way-Market" in Forest City. They later moved to Northwood where Lloyd was employed at Nelson Hardware. RetaMae attended Mason City Junior College and taught school again until the arrival of their son, Lonny Lee, in December 1953.
In 1954, the family moved to Belmond where they started the "Belmond Hardware". While there, they were joined by a second son, Spencer Ray, in December 1959. For health reasons, they sold the store and moved to Mason City where Lloyd was employed at Curries Hardware. RetaMae was employed at the Penny's Store and Madison School as a Para-Professional.
After moving back to Forest City in 1970, RetaMae worked in the Elementary School as a substitute teacher and as a Teacher Associate until she retired in 1990 after nineteen years.
RetaMae always enjoyed her home, family, five grandchildren, church work, the Senior Citizens Organization, gardening, and camping. She was active in her church and church circles, the Rebekah Lodge where she filled all stations, and the Retired Teachers Association.
RetaMae is survived by her husband of sixty-nine years, Lloyd Lewis, of Forest City; two sons, Lon (Nancy) Lewis, and their daughter, Mary, and Spencer (Janet) Lewis, and their four daughters, Amanda, Kaitlyn, Bonnie, and Rhiannon; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, November 17, 2011, at the United Methodist Church in Forest City with Pastor Jerald Swanberg officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery in Forest City. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, November 16, 2011, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark St., Forest City, and will continue an hour prior to service at the church.
Copyright © 2011, Petersen Lund Funeral Home
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