Obit: Lewis, Mayona Laurene (1934 - 2020)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Lewis, Kammerud, Johnson, Bertz, Marty, Dalke, Dorsey Caldwell, Relihan, Gurney, Tutor, Bjerke, Wirtz, Anderson

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/29//2020

Lewis, Mayona Laurene (17 September 1935 – 24 July 2020)

Mayona Lewis, age 84, of Neillsville, died Friday, July 24, 2020, under the care of Ministry Home Care Hospice, surrounded by her loving family, at her daughter’s residence in Weston.

Mayona Laurene Johnson was born on September 17, 1935 in Blanchardville, the daughter of Hans and Goldie (Kammerud) Johnson. She attended Bainbridge Country Grade School and graduated from Blanchardville High School. Then she worked in the kitchen at the Monroe Hospital before moving to Neillsville, where she waitressed at The Hotel. On July 17, 1954 Mayona was united in marriage to Theodore Lewis at the Old Congregational Church in Neillsville. Shortly after they were married, she began working at the nursing home in Neillsville and in 1968 they started farming in the town of Pine Valley. Mayona worked at the nursing home for over 20 years. Ted died in 1988 and in 1989 she moved into Neillsville, where she resided for the past 30 years.

She was a member of the Pine Valley Zion Lutheran Church and the Hilltop Homemakers in Neillsville. She loved waterfalls, and was collecting rocks, gemstones and jewelry. She liked to play cards and listen to country western music and she was an avid reader. Most of all, though, she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by four children, Phoebe (Paul) Bertz of King George, VA, Tammy (Duane) Marty of Neillsville, Lisa (Alex) Dahlke of Weston, and Dennis (Jane) Lewis of Belleville, MI, 9 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, three sisters, Vernalee Dorsey of Argyle, Nancy Caldwell of Argyle, and Connie (Dennis) Relihan of San Tan Valley, AZ, a sister-in-law, Liz Johnson of Verona, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ted, her parents, three brothers, Malcolm, Bernard and Dick, two brothers-in-law, Ed Dorsey and Doug Caldwell and 2 sisters-in-law, Sarah Johnson and Atha Johnson.

Funeral Services for Mayona will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at the Pine Valley Zion Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Pastor Chad Anderson will officiate. Music will be provided by Sharon Bjerke, organist and Lori Wirtz, soloist. Interment will be in the North Pine Valley Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Tuesday at the Church.

Casket Bearers are Shawn Bertz, Mathew Marty, Michael Marty, Theodore “TJ” Dahlke, Lucas Dahlke and Cole Gurney. Honorary Casket Bearers are Melissa Gurney, Bonnie Tutor, Jeremy Bertz and Nathan Bertz.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Mayona’s family with Funeral arrangements.