Ralph Elton Lewis

Ralph Elton Lewis was born on September 1, 1919, at the family farm, Lewisville, MN, to Verne and Lillian (Halvorson) Lewis. He attended country school and graduated from St. James High School. On September 10, 1939, Ralph was married to Esther Kuhlman at Zion Lutheran Church, Lewisville. They farmed in rural Lewisville. He joined the U.S. Airforce, Nov. 1942 and served during WWII. After the war, Ralph returned home to farm the family farm. He continued to serve his country as a member of the U.S. Air force Reserves for many years, eventually retiring as a Major. Ralph and Esther spent their winters in Alamo, TX where he was an active volunteer at the Confederate Airforce Museum. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Lewisville, the Lewisville American Legion Post 561 and he was a Watonwan County Commissioner. Ralph enjoyed flying his Er Coupe, woodworking, fishing, hunting and Ralph was an avid reader. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Ralph is survived by his wife of 67 years, Esther, of Truman; five daughters and sons-in-law, Barb Jones and husband Ernie of Truman, Judy Pitcher and husband Tom of Mosinee, WI, Sandy LeTourneau and husband Tom of Beaumont, TX, Carmen Reckard and husband Steve of Truman, Colleen Lewis and husband Stan Komendowski of Hillpoint, WI; fourteen grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; one brother and sister-in-law Leslie Lewis and his wife Gladys of Lewisville; one sister Betty Lewis of Truman; four sisters-in-law, Phyllis Lewis, Berkely, CA, Lillian Kuhlman, Lewisville, MN, Marge Dewar, Hastings, MN, Ruth Ann Shaw, Mansfield, OH; two brothers-in-law, Roy Kuhlman and wife Molly of Winthrop, MN, Willis Kuhlman and wife Susie of St. James, MN and numerous nieces and nephews. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James.