Sheryl Dorothy Lewis

Sheryl Dorothy Lewis, age 63, died on February 21, 2016, at her home in Washington, Iowa, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Celebration of life services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2016, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Washington with Pastor Maureen Howard and Pastor Ryan Dexter officiating. Calling hours will begin 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church where the family will receive friends from 4:00 until 8:00 Tuesday evening. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. Memorials have been established for the Hope Lutheran Church, the Lions Club of Brighton, and Hospice of Washington County. The Jones & Eden Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent for Sheryl’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com. With her love of purple, the family encourages attendees to wear purple as a tribute. Sheryl was born on August 1, 1952 in Clinton, Iowa, to father Lester and mother Dorothy (Rickertsen) Grim. She grew up in a loving family with three sisters and one brother. After a move from Keosauqua, Iowa, at the age of three, the family settled in Washington, where Sheryl graduated from Washington High School in 1970. In ninth grade, she received the Citizenship Award, which was nominated by the teachers and voted on by the student body. She put herself through college at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA, where she triple-majored in Business, Accounting, and Economics. Sheryl was united in marriage to Donald Raymond Lewis on September 14, 1974 and her life began as a farmer’s wife. When children arrived, she raised them and worked on the farm until 1988. It was here that she taught her children the importance of hard work, leadership, and independence. She went back to work in 1988 and finished out her professional career at Federation Bank as a Vice President and Loan Officer in Brighton. She clerked auctions for 40 years, as well as enjoyed gardening and landscaping. Sheryl was an active member of the community, serving as Ag Day Coordinator for Leadership Washington; was a member of W.A.Y.S (formerly Noon Optimist); was a Lions Club member, where she coordinated many blood drives; was elected to the Washington Community School District School Board; and served as a council member for Hope Lutheran Church in Germanville. Sheryl is survived by her husband, Don Lewis of Washington, Iowa; son A.J. Lewis and wife Kim of Center Point, IA; daughter, Katie McWhirter and husband Matt of Washington, IA; and daughter, Tina Montz and husband Craig of Washington, IA. Sheryl asked for grandchildren and her children abided, giving her eight grandchildren in five years. She delighted in: Caleigh, Brailey, and Kolten Lewis; William and Lauren McWhirter; and Lason, James, and Rosalie Montz. Sheryl is further survived by her sisters Barbara (Richard) Westpfahl of Roseville, MN; Paula (Frank) Sanders of Fruitland, ID; brother John (Peggy) Grim of Johnston, IA; sister Joyce (Marty) Westen of Washington, IA.; and sister in-law Eileen Wilson of Stuart, IA; six nieces and five nephews; and aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, maternal and paternal grandparents, mother in-law Ruth Lewis, and sister in-law Rae Lee Waack.

Sheryl Dorothy Lewis

August 1, 1952 - February 21, 2016