Violet Mae Lewis

Violet Mae Lewis, 89, of Callaway, Neb., died Sunday, Aug. 22, at the Callaway Good Life Center.

Violet was born March 17, 1932, in her parents’ home on the family farm between Mankato and Burr Oak, Kan., in Jewell County. Her father was Elmer Elsworth Alexander and mother, Florence Isabelle Silsby. She attended a one-room country school (Lamb School) located on the edge of the family farm and graduated from Burr Oak High School with the Class of 1950.

Violet was united in marriage to Elmer LeRoy Lewis on March 26, 1951, in the bride’s home. They raised four children: Ronnie, Connie, Dale and Anita. Violet and Elmer lived in Beloit, Kan.; moved to Lincoln, Neb., and Greenwood, Neb., where Violet worked as a housewife and bookkeeper for the family service stations. They retired in 1992 and moved to Callaway.

She was a member of TOPS for 50 years, a member of the United Methodist Churches for more than 75 years, taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and was a member of the United Methodist Women.

Her favorite pass times were puzzles, scrapbooks, family history books and time with her family.

Survivors include her husband, Elmer of Callaway; children, Ronnie (Jeanine) Lewis of Greeley, Colo., Connie (Ken) Rigler of Callaway, and Dale (Angie) Lewis of Crystal Lakes, Mo.; son-in-law, Jon Gaul of Webster City, Iowa. They were also blessed with 10 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Doris Alexander of Mankato, and Virginia Alexander of Esbon.

Besides her parents, Violet was preceded in death by her daughter, Anita Gaul; her son, Gale (twin of Dale); brothers, Newell and Merlin Alexander; sister, Vera Dempsey and brother-in-law, Forrest Dempsey.

Her funeral was at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 25, at the Callaway United Methodist Church with Pastor Shanon Williams officiating.

Visitation was held Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway.

Interment will be at 11 a.m., today (Thursday) Aug. 26, in Burr Oak Cemetery at Burr Oak, Kan.

Memorials are kindly suggested to the Callaway United Methodist Church or Callaway Good Life Center.

Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is honored to assist the family with arrangements.