Date of Death: February 7, 2022
Service Details
Arrangements are pending.
Obituary Notice
Mary Jo Lewis, 89, of Three Rivers, Michigan, passed away February 7, 2022, surrounded by family and holding the hand of her beloved husband of 71 years.
The daughter of Harold Christian and Evelyn Irene (Schnartz) Bahnsen, Jo was born August 7, 1932 at her Aunt Rose’s home in Rock Falls, Iowa. She graduated in 1950 at the top of her class from Ventura High School.
Jo was proud to have earned and accepted the title “Miss Iowa” in 1950.
On October 22, 1950, she married Darrell “Bill” Lewis. They wed at The Little Brown Church in Chickasaw County, Iowa.
Jo was an amazing wife, mother and Nana. She loved cooking, playing bridge, reading, crossword puzzles, and life at Pleasant Lake, especially pontooning and swimming. Jo & Bill, together, enjoyed “walking the line,” while listening to Johnny Cash.
Through the years the couple traveled extensively. In 1995 they built their dream home in Scottsdale, Arizona where they spent the winter months — a favorite place for her family to gather and vacation.
Remaining to cherish her loving memory are her husband, Bill Lewis; son, John “Spark” Lewis; daughters, Lonnette (Dale) Wood and Sherri Jo (Rodney) Wagner; grandchildren, John Paul Lewis, Max Lewis, Sam Lewis, Mitch Lewis, Evelyn Wagner and Billy Wagner; great-grandson, Greyson Lewis; sisters, Ann Smith and Sherri Vetter.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Additional Information
Donations in Jo’s memory may be directed to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, or to Three Rivers Hospice. Envelopes are available at Hohner Funeral Home in care of her arrangements.
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Jo was a good friend that I met in Wood Dale in 1967. When we moved to Royal Oaks she and Loni welcomed me with a banana bread. We socialized there and in our Caper Club. After Jo and Bill came to our house at Pleasant Lake they bought The Taj. I enjoyed meeting Jo at her end of the lake and swimming. We also played bridge and colored each other’s hair. It was wonderful to have known her and she will be missed!
Sandy Warnock
Thank you Sandy. I remember you two coloring each others hair in the Royal Oaks home. Great memories
My favorite memory Jo, was during the wedding of Lonis and Woody’s wedding telling me I needed the pastor! What a great guy he was! He was my husband at the time. And he is/was amazing guy! I will miss this amazing women! ❤️
We only knew her as Jo Lewis. Always a warm smile & kind, loving words for whoever she was talking with. She always wanted to know more….to dig a little deeper so she really got to know others. She expressed gratitude & love for her children & beloved husband. A warm hostess & great card player too! You were well loved by many and will be forever in our hearts! Sincere sympathy Sparky, Loni and Bic and her dear husband Bill.
Aunt Jo was such a gracious and sweet person, a magnificent hostess, and absolutely the most fun person to be with – she will absolutely be missed. Spark, Lonnie and Sherri Jo, you and your families are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you all.
Mary Jo Lewis was one of the most beautiful women I have ever known. I could not have asked for a better Mother-in-law. Jo was one of the least judgmental people I have ever met. She had so much but never thought of herself as anything more than a “good ole” farm girl. Jo was an amazing listener and really wanted to hear what others were saying. My parents enjoyed numerous trips with Bill and Jo throughout the years, they were blessed to have such a beautiful friendship. In fact, on a vacation, they were all dressed and ready for dinner and my Mother, Carolyn, accidentally fell into the pool. So that my Mother didn’t feel embarrassed, Jo jumped in with her and then all of the others followed suit. Jo was an amazing Grandmother to my three sons and I am forever grateful for that. I will miss this spectacular woman for the rest of my life and every day I will be thankful for knowing her.
Our condolences to you & your family. You’re in our thoughts & prayers. Let me know if I can do anything.
It breaks my heart to see Jo pass on to a better place. She was such a special woman and I loved her greatly. Prayers for everyone that loved her.
I’m so sorry Lonny for your families loss. I never got to meet her, but Greyson and Kylie always had good stories to tell. She was a really sweet lady. Prayers and love to the whole family!
We are so sorry, our love and prayers to you all.