Bob Lewis

Larchwood, IA    Bob Lewis, age 93 of Larchwood, IA died Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at Fellowship Village in Inwood, IA.         Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Friday, December 11th at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, IA, with Father Bruce Lawler officiating.        Burial will follow at Larchwood Cemetery.        Visitation will be Thursday, December 10th from 3:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at The Church of St. Mary. There will be a 7:00 Vigil Service Thursday evening at the church. John Robert Lewis was born May 4th, 1922 in Valley Springs, SD, to George and Emma (Hoeck) Lewis. He was raised in Larchwood.   He graduated from Larchwood High School in 1939.   After graduation he ventured west and graduated from Curtiss-Wright Technical Institute, Glendale, California as an Aviation Machinist. Bob then took a civil servant job with the Long Beach Airport.   Being a true patriot, Bob enlisted in the Navy in October 1942. On May 9, 1943, after basic training, and initial deployment stateside, Bob married Rita Ripperda at a USO in Oklahoma City, just weeks prior to setting sail to the South Pacific for 2 years. After his discharge in October 1945 after WWII, he and Rita returned to Larchwood.   Bob briefly worked at Morrell’s in Sioux Falls before he started farming. He eventually settled on the Hoeck Family farm north of town where he and Rita generously provided the ideal home for the three children they selected, not expected, who needed a home. Some of Bob’s other pursuits while farming were working with the Lyon County ASCS office for over 20 years, serving on the Board for the Larchwood Elevator for 9 years (president for 6), and a charter member of the Larchwood Optimist Club. After retiring from farming, he started yet another career with the City of Larchwood, mowing the city grass. He was particularly humbled and proud as a 70 year member of the American Legion (Commander and County Commander), to mow the cemetery to prepare it for Memorial Day ceremonies each year. Bob only missed one ceremony since returning from the war. Bob continued honoring the country’s veterans by volunteering to shuttle veterans from surrounding states to the VA hospital in Sioux Falls for care. He was particularly proud to be one of the first participants in the Honor Flight. His passions included his love for his family which included his wife, 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, as well as his extended family of nieces and nephews both related and not. Sunday morning family breakfasts were always the best way to start a new week. Bob also enjoyed flying, especially with his grandson, farming, especially on a new combine that drove itself, golfing, and an interesting conversation with anyone willing to talk. He will be greatly missed by his family, many friends, and a wonderful supporting community. He has been welcomed by the family and friends who are gone before him.      Bob is survived by his wife, Rita (Ripperda) Lewis; Daughters, Cindy (Childress) and Dan Nagel of Larchwood, IA, Leann and John (Hayward) Lewis of Arlington, TX, daughter-in-law, Kathy (Upoff Lewis) and Troy Dawley of Valley Springs, SD; grandchildren, Tracy (Childress) and Kris Kramer of Larchwood, IA, Christy (Childress) and Seth Bahnson of Inwood, IA, Jeremy and Jamee Childress of Larchwood, IA, Jeff and Alexa Lewis of Gretna, NE, Brady and Jodi Childress of Centerville, SD, and Jared Lewis of Minneapolis, MN; step granddaughter, Jessica Nagel of Minneapolis, MN; 20 great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Lyle and Joan (Ripperda) Grotewold of Larchwood, IA; nieces, nephews and other extended family members.      He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Emma Lewis; son, Alan Robert Lewis; son-in-law, Randy Childress; great-grandson, Knox Thomas Lewis; and step- granddaughter Tara Nagel; siblings, Ran and Vera Lewis, Lyle and Phyllis Lewis, Leslie and Zelda Lewis, Delight (Lewis) Kilburn.