Jack John L. Lewis

John L. 'Jack' Lewis, 82, of Hastings, passed away Sunday, October 18, 2009 of complications from a massive stroke. He was born in Hastings on February 22, 1927. He married Corrine A. Lindstedt on May 21, 1947. Jack graduated from Hastings High School in 1945 and had many jobs that followed. He owned the Lewis Motor and Cab Company with his mother and older brother Dick Lewis. He worked at H.D. Hudson Manufacturing Company for a short time. He was a guard at the 3M Chemolite Plant during the time of its construction. He and wife Corrine leased the Nelson Oil Company and Filling Station in south Hastings. He also owned and drove a school bus in Washington County. He invested in the Tucker Agency, then went to work for 7 years as a district manager for the Dodge division of Chrylser Corporation in Detroit Michigan. Following the 7 years Jack worked there, he then became a district manager for the Studabaker Corporation. He was then hired as a used car manager at South Town Chrysler Plymouth in Bloomington. Finally, he worked for 24 years in town as a car salesman at Bahls Motor and Implement until he retired. Along with his extensive involvement in the automobile industry, Jack, being civic minded, served on the School Board of District 200 for 23 years and was also a board member on the Dakota County Technical College for 7 years. He was a lifelong member of the Masonic Lodge, and a lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church of Hastings. He co-founded the first Hastings Youth Center and co-founded the Snowmos Club in Hastings. While he was president of the Snowmos he promoted the first fundraising event for the Ronald McDonald House in St. Paul. His special interests and hobbies included tinkering with cars, snowmobiling, trips to Yellowstone National Park, vacationing down south, weekend get-a-ways to their trailer in Pine City, boating, deer hunting and playing cards. He enjoyed quiet time out at Lakeside Cemetery watering and maintaining the flowers of friends and family members. He had a strong love of animals, especially for his dogs. But his true passions were going out to eat and spending quality time with family and close friends. Preceded in death by parents, Robert and Jeanette Lewis; brothers, Robert and Richard Lewis; sister, Marjorie Cane. Survived by wife, Corrine of Hastings; son, John Jr. (Ann) Lewis of Hastings; daughters, Cheryl (Neil) Matsch of Hastings, Camille (Eric) Lee of Apple Valley; grandchildren, Kari (Jason) Anderson, Krista Lewis, John Lewis, Kristen Kimmes, Katilyn Gustafson, Kelinda Gustafson, Jason (Mahlia) Matsch, Neil Matsch Jr, Nikki Lee, Courtney Lee; great-grandchildren, Taylie, Alexis, Blake, Alexandra and Brennen; other relatives and friends. Funeral Service, Saturday (10/24), 10:30 AM, at the First Presbyterian Church, 602 Vermillion Street in Hastings. Visitation, Friday (10/23), 4:00-8:00 PM at the Wise Family Funeral Home, 400 Spring Street in Hastings and 1 hour prior to service at church. The pallbearers are Mike Olson, Lloyd Lindstedt, Jason Matsch, Neil Matsch Jr., Bob Lewis, Dick Lewis Jr, Jim White and John Lewis. The Wise Family Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. To view the memorial video and sign the guest book, go to www.wisefamilyfh.com