Jeanne Lewis
June 9, 1936 - October 2, 2023
Jeanne Lewis, 87, died peacefully in her home in Evergreen, Colorado on October 2, 2023, surrounded by her children and their spouses after a 10-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
She was born in El Dorado, Kansas and spent most of her life in Wichita, Kansas. She married the love of her life, Ralph Lewis, in November 1958; their first date was an outing on a boat with friends and boating became a very important part of their life. Ralph was a genius at turning his passion of all things mechanical into businesses…they owned an auto body shop, a jet boat shop and an airplane repair/resale business in the mix. They both became licensed pilots. They never had much money, but they owned a plane and had a jet boat to enjoy during the summers; a lot of time was spent with family and friends in the Ozarks, with fishing, water skiing and fun on the water.
Unfortunately, Ralph died of a heart attack in 1980, leaving Jeanne with 3 young children and a broken heart. Jeanne showed her amazing strength in picking up the pieces, creating a new normal and supporting her family in every way. She continued her work in bookkeeping, supporting one of Ralph’s final businesses, Four Star Tool & Die, until her retirement.
For her hobbies, Jeanne was an accomplished seamstress, enjoyed ceramics and other crafts and was an amazing cook. When her children were young, she made their clothes, later she made curtains for their various houses. She mended clothes for family members throughout her whole life, especially her grandson Brett! Ceramics was a fun hobby, she had a kiln and made nativity sets and other fun holiday pieces for the whole family. In terms of cooking, nothing could beat her fried chicken and mashed potatoes, chicken and noodles, potato soup and her famous cinnamon rolls and pumpkin bread for the holidays. A favorite of her children’s friends was homemade lasagna and chocolate sheet cake. Momma Jeanne was beloved amongst the kids.
Travel was another of her fun pastimes. She traveled across the US (Alaska, Niagara Falls, Utah, Nashville/Memphis, North Dakota, California, South Carolina, Hawaii & more) and also to the UK. She loved discovering new places.
After the death of her parents, Johnny and Bea Souza, Jeanne moved to Evergreen, Colorado where she spent the last 16 years of her life. She made amazing friends at Rocky Mountain Village Estates and enjoyed the serene mountain vistas outside her windows. She enjoyed live theatre and Evergreen Lake concerts, going to her grandsons’ games and events, making “Angels” for the Mount Evans Hospice fundraisers and weekly Mahjong and Rummikub games.
Jeanne will be remembered by her children, Renee and husband Dan, Randy and wife Celeste, Robin and wife Angie; her lifelong friend Marlin Ekiss; her grandchildren, Hailey, Scott, Brett, Adria, Kira, Sonya, Jonathan and Jada; her brothers Jack and Steve Souza and Tom Parker and many other family members and friends who loved and cherished her.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice for their loving care of Jeanne during the last 6 months of her life.
Celebration of Jeanne’s Life
Family will gather for a private burial at a later date.
Make a Donation
In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice.
