"What a dear sweet lady. We loved to see her at church. Seems we were always seated behind her. Loved the stories of her voyage to the US on the ship with other war brides. She was always so gracious. Condolences to her family "
In loving memory of
Lillian F. Lewis
March 6, 1927 - April 1, 2018
Lillian Frances Lewis, daughter of James Samuel and Alice (Wheeler) Clark, was born on March 6, 1927 in London, England. She passed away on Sunday, April 1, 2018 at the Goldenrod Manor Nursing Home in Clarinda, Iowa at the age of 91.
Lillian grew up London, England. During World War II, she met Linal E. Lewis while he was stationed in London as a P-51 airplane mechanic in the US Army Air Corps. They were untied in marriage on October 7, 1944 in London, England. In November of 1945 they came back to the US, and Lillian became a naturalized US citizen in 1950. Following their return, they resided in Malvern, Iowa and Red Oak, Iowa before settling in Essex, Iowa in 1952. Lillian worked in a chicken factory, and later with the Essex High School lunch services as a cook/server until retirement.
Lillian adored her grandchildren. She also was an animal lover, taking care of 25 cats and a rat terrier on the farm, and a miniature dachshund after moving to town in 1982. When she and Linal both retired they began square dancing. She loved dressing up in the big skirts and socializing with the other dancers. She missed all her family in England and for several decades she would fly back every other year to spend time with her family members there. Her favorite memories were of spending time with her Mother and walking the beach with her brother, reminiscing and picking up seashells.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Linal. Survivors include her brother and sister-in-law, Eric and Doreen Clark of Broxbourne, England; son Richard Lewis of Essex; daughter and son-in-law Carol and Bob Brown of Clarinda; grandchildren Justin Smith and wife Holly Langdon of Ventura, CA and July Smith White and husband Finn of Sherman Oaks, CA; great-grandchildren Wyatt and Tarynn Langdon Smith and Welby White; niece Sally Clark Perrin of Hertford Heath, England and nephew Lloyd Clark of Ireland.
Celebration of life graveside service will be held 11:00 am, Thursday, April 5, 2018 at the Hastings, Iowa Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Tributes
"Met Linal and Lillian while square dancing in Sidney. They were both a joy to be around and lovely people. So thankful we got to know them. We are sorry for your loss."
"Rick, So sorry to hear that your mother has passed. Katie and I send our sincere condolences. Jerrie"
"Sorry to hear of your mother's passing Rick. Sending healing prayers and comforting thoughts to you and your family."
"Sorry Rick to see that your mom has passed, thinking about you Teresa kirchert reitzler"