Irene Lewis

It is with great heartache we announce the death of our mother, Mrs. Irene Emily Lewis, 93, of Frederick, MD, who died on January 29, 2016 at her home. Irene was the beloved wife of the late Lt. Col. William J. Lewis for 56 years.

Born November 6, 1922 in Chippewa Falls, WI, Irene was the daughter of the late George A. Blinkman and Augusta (Boehlke) Blinkman. She was raised in Fairmont, MN, where Blinkman Avenue was named for her family.

Irene graduated from Fairmont High School in 1940 and was a member of the Library Club. From high school, Irene moved to Rockport, IL, to work in a defense plant and later was a member of the Rosie the Riveter Association. After her marriage, she was a baker in the family business, The Blue Ribbon Pie Company, Cleveland, OH. Irene served as Activities Director at the Trimont, MN, Nursing Home as well as in many woman's auxiliaries, especially with the 101st Airborne Association and the 517 Parachute Regimental Combat Team Association, assisting in the publication of quarterly newsletters and organizing annual association reunions. She volunteered many community service hours to charitable and political organizations throughout her life.

Irene was a loving and caring mother - a tower of strength - who raised eight children. She was the mainstay of the family in over a dozen moves across country as a military wife, and enjoyed many activities with her children, such as teaching them to swim, gardening, serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother and a 4-H leader. Irene passed her love of reading and baking to her children and created a warm home where family and friends gathered to savor her baking, especially pies and molasses cookies.

In her personal time, Irene was an avid reader and gardener, was a member of the Red Hat Society and participated in many sports such as water skiing bowling and golf. She played bridge, worked jigsaw puzzles and quilted. She was a member of the Piece Makers Quilting Guild of Sevierville, TN, a guild devoted to creating quilts for children-at-risk agencies serving the Knoxville area.

Irene is survived by her children, Cliff Ann (Gilbreath) Lewis, widow of son John, of Shelby, NC; Judy Lewis of Frederick, MD; Jim Lewis and wife Therese (Rouker), of Arroryo Grande, CA; Jeffrey Lewis of Frederick, MD; Jerry Lewis of Wasilla, AK; Jean Lewis-Antcliff of Frederick, MD; and Jan (Lewis) Elliott and husband Steven, of Brooklyn, NY.

She also is survived by sisters-in-law Irene (Vahldiech) Blinkman, Esterville, IA; Ponnie (Lewis) Davis, Cleveland, OH; Helen (Lewis) Stanley, Temple Hills, MD; and Mary (Lewis) and husband William Kleber, Knoxville, TN; 11 cherished grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren, as well as many, much-loved nieces, nephews and cousins. Irene will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

In addition to her husband, Irene was predeceased by her oldest son, Sgt. John B. Lewis, Ft. Campbell, KY; granddaughter, Jessica Lewis Lustine, Potomac, MD; youngest son, Jed Lewis, Wasilla, AK; her four brothers, Clayton Blinkman, Manly, IA; Theodore Blinkman, Belleview, FL; Chester Blinkman, Boone, NC; Walter Blinkman, Wallingford, IA; and her one sister, Lillian (Blinkman) Steffan, Watertown, SD.

Irene was especially fond of her caregivers, Kim Remsburg, Carol Cregger, Rose Peterson, Diana Livinston, Nando Diabate, and Alice Maenner; and Frederick County Hospice staff, Jamie, Liz and Lyn. The family thanks them for their kindness and compassion.

A private family service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery where she will be inurned with her husband Lt. Col. William J. Lewis, U.S. Army, decorated veteran of WWII, POW of the Korean War and veteran of the Vietnam War.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer Association-Research, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, or a charity of one's choice.