Date of Birth:
Wednesday, August 14, 1929
Date of Death:
Sunday, December 6, 2020
Age:
91 years old

Donald Lee Lewis

Donald (Don) Lee Lewis passed away December 6, 2020 at Cottagewood Senior Living in Rochester, Minnesota.

He was born August 14, 1929 in Williamsfield, Illinois to Roy R. Lewis and Laura Killian Lewis. The family later moved to Minnesota, first living near St. Charles and later settling in Lewiston, where Don graduated from Lewiston high School in 1946. After high school, Don Joined the Army during the Korean War and was stationed in the Philippines, where he served in Signals Intelligence and later as a cook.

Back home, Don met Pelagia (Peggy) Prodzinski in Winona, Minnesota and they were married there on April 6, 1953. A high point of their early marriage was winning a Rochester J.C’s contest. The prize included travel to New York and Europe, a trip to the 1956 winter Olympics and an audience with the Pope which was a special memory for the rest of their lives. The couple settled in Rochester, where they raised 3 children. Don’s career began with him using skills he had learned in the Military to become a chef at Rochester’s Carlton Hotel. He later moved into sales, working at Custom Printing, Gopher Welding, and Johnson Printing. He ended his career working at Davies Printing, calling on customers at the Mayo Clinic into his mid-70’s. Don loved to joke and was well known for his folksy “sayings,” some of which were collected by friends and customers into a book which was presented to him at his retirement.

He loved watching the Vikings, putting together a nice spread of food and beverages for all who might stop by on game day. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, gardening with Peggy, and spending time with his family. His holiday prime rib was a culinary high point for the whole family.

In later years, Don cherished the company of his dogs and his cat, making sure they always got a treat from the dinner table. He enjoyed watching and feeding the birds and squirrels on his deck and worried when the bird seed or shelled peanuts ran low. He was a kind and generous man, truly a person who would give the shirt off his back to someone in need.

Don was a longtime member of ST Pius X in Rochester where Peggy taught and his kids went to school.

Donald is survived by his sister, Arlene (Paul) Spitzer; his children, David (Susie) Lewis, Sara Jane (David) Brutscher , and Beth (Dean) Black; 6 grandchildren; one great grandchild; and dear family friend, Jean Koch.

Donald was preceded in death by his beloved wife Peggy; his parents; his brother, Robert; and infant daughter, Lora Marie.