Edward "Swede" Lewis

Edward ?Swede? Lewis was born on October 6, 1924, at his home in Hillman, Minnesota the son of Jesse & Anna (Lundberg) Lewis. He was raised in Hillman, Minnesota and attended Onamia High School. Ed served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corp with the 528th Fighter Squadron that did the Asian Theatre (India, Burma & China). He drove truck on the Burma road and over the Himalayas to get supplies to the troops in China and he also armed planes for battle. During his service he received a Battle Star for the Burma Campaign. Ed was Honorably Discharge on January 13, 1946. Edward was united in marriage to Bette Chandler on March 4, 1944 in Minneapolis. After returning home from the service the couple made their home in Minneapolis where they raised their only daughter, Shannon. Ed worked as a Construction Superintendent and was a proud member of the Plasterers and Cement Masons Union Local 633 for sixty-two years. Swede enjoyed hunting as a young man, fishing, playing cards and was active with the card club in Leaf Valley. He was a very talented woodworker ? he made everything from windmills to remote control model airplanes. Ed also loved riding on his John Deere lawn mower and his two cats Julius and Cleo. Ed died on Monday, September 14, 2009. He is survived by daughter, Shannon Lewis & Peter Lienke; sisters: Joan & Tony Kollar of Princeton, MN, Alma Jean & Roy Bugher of FL, Carol Mack of Mpls, Eleanor Sherwood of Spring Park, MN; Preceded in death by his dear wife, Bette; parents, brother, Walter. Swede and Bette were married and best friends for sixty-one years. Since Bette passed away four years ago, Swede felt a great emptiness and loneliness ? missing her every moment of those four years. We know he is content and happy now being reunited with his one true love. Funeral services were held on Friday, September 18, 2009, 1:00 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria with Rev. Don Reisig officiating. Military Honors were by American Legion Post #87 and VFW Post #936. Burial was at Geneva Cemetery.