James Gerhart Lewis, 77, Jasper, died Friday, March 8, 2002, in his home.
Services were Monday, March 11, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper. Burial was at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Jasper.
Jim Lewis was born to John and Johanna (Brennan) Lewis on Oct. 20, 1924, in Adrian. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.
He married Evelyn Gilfoy on Aug. 19, 1947, in Lismore. In 1949 they moved to a farm near Jasper where he lived the remainder of his life. He was active in farming until 1957 when he was named office manager of the Rock County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service and later as district director for Southwestern Minnesota ASCS. He retired from ASCS in 1987. Following retirement he sold real estate for Frakes Realty in Luverne.
Mr. Lewis was an active citizen in his community throughout his adult life serving on numerous boards, committees and commissions. He served as a Rock County Commissioner from 1990 to 1994. At the time of his death, he was an active member of Prairieland Economic Development Commission, the Rock County Planning and Zoning Committee, St. Joseph Catholic Church Finance Board and served as the clerk of Springwater Township. He was instrumental in lobbying to locate a Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. He was a Rotarian with the Luverne Chapter, a member of the American Legion and VFW and an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper. He took great relish in helping his grandchildren become anglers. He was an avid fisherman and hunter.
Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Lewis, Jasper; two sons, James Lewis (partner, Bill Bloedow), St. Paul, Patrick Lewis (partner, Judy Freeman) Hector; two daughters, Connie (Ken) Peterson, St. Paul, and Rita Lewis, Arlington, Va.; three grandchildren, Kelsey and Nicholas, both of St. Paul, and Maria, Arlington; two brothers, Kenneth (Vaughn) Lewis, Worthington, and John (Polly) Lewis, Green Valley, Ariz.; and two sisters, Theresa (Patrick) Whalen, Hartford, S.D., and Margaret (John) Clasen, Hutchinson.
Mr. Lewis was preceded in death by one son, Dan, and one brother, Ted.
Foster-Hartquist Funeral Home, Jasper, was in charge of arrangements.