Ralph Lewis

Ralph Lewis, 93, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, formerly of Pekin, IA, died Sunday, October 2, 2011, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, October 8th, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. The funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Jeff McPheron officiating. Interment will be in the Cedar Township Memorial Cemetery South in Fremont, Iowa. A memorial has been established to the United Way. The son of Tracy Boice and Lena (Jones) Lewis, Ralph Leo Lewis was born on August 11, 1918 in rural Albia, Iowa. He attended Albia country schools until 8th grade. As his father's health declined, Ralph began farming fulltime. On April 26, 1942 he married Helen Grootveld in Ottumwa, Iowa. She preceded him in death. Ralph was a lifelong farmer. He started farming near Fremont, IA. In 1948 he bought a farm near Pekin, IA where he continued farming until his retirement in 1981. In his earlier years Ralph enjoyed playing in a softball league, dancing, and was an avid hunter. Ralph and Helen spent the winter months in Mesa, AZ, and later moved there for several years. He was a 50 year member of the Fairfield Elks Lodge, and also a member of the Deerwood Golf and Country Club in New London, IA. Survivors include a daughter, Donna Cisco of Mt. Pleasant, IA; seven grandchildren Cathie (David) Cunningham, Jennifer (Leo) Alhambra, Cheryl (Darrin) Glover, Matthew Cisco, Julie Hess, Bradley (Sarah) Cisco and Suzanne Hess; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; one brother, Dwight Lewis of New Haven, IN; and three sisters Faye Waters of Pekin, IL, Fern Gibbs of East Dundee, IL, and Mary Lou (Elwyn) Ecker of Moline, IL. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen; a daughter, Marsha Hess; a son LaVerne Lewis; and a brother, Floyd Lewis, in infancy.