Shirley I Lewis

Shirley I. Lewis, 93, passed away on June 9, 2024 surrounded in love by her family.

Shirley was born Shirley Irene Tanner on March 9, 1931 to Joseph and Delphine “Ione” Tanner in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1951, Shirley married Gerald James Rowe in Minneapolis, Minnesota. From this union, she welcomed two children, Carla and Jeff. They were later divorced. Shirley then married the love of her life, William “Bill” Franklyn Lewis in 1962. They completed their growing family by welcoming children, Guy, Shane, and Terri. Shirley and Bill were happily married up until his death in 2011.

As a dedicated military spouse and mother, Shirley talked dotingly of their years traveling all over the country during Bill’s service. After 20 years and over 13 moves, Bill retired from the navy in 1974. They finally put down roots, and settled in Blackfoot, ID. The story goes that during Bill’s retirement party, they threw a dart at the map, and it landed on Blackfoot.

Bill and Shirley spent a lot of their years in Island Park enjoying the great outdoors. They owned 2 different cabins in the area, and many of the kids’ early adulthood memories include the cabins and the multitude of toys that they enjoyed while being there. Shirley and Bill loved spending time snowmobiling, boating, camping, traveling, and they went on many cruises.

Shirley did so many remarkable things in her 93 years. She was an extraordinary bowler. She was a part of a Citizen Band (CB) Club. The Lewis home had been known as the “Kool-Aid” house, because Shirley was a generous mom to many of the kids in their neighborhood. She was a “collector” of sorts, and always conveniently had mustard, ketchup, and mayonnaise packets that she would acquire from gas stations or fast-food joints. She stored these in the fridge (or her bedside table drawer) “for emergency purposes only!”

Shirley loved to tell stories about her life growing up in Minnesota. In fact, anyone that knew her knows she loved to talk. Her friends and family fondly referred to her as the “Windy Lady.” She would talk to anyone who would listen and often even to those who wouldn’t. Despite her longwindedness, she would drop anything and everything to help anyone who needed it. She was one of the toughest women we knew.

Shirley is survived by her children, Carla (Dean) Benson, Jeffrey Rowe, Guy (Jaquie) Lewis, Shane Lewis, Terri Barney (Blake, Deceased); 13 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by several friends who became family.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill Lewis. Her parents, Joe and Ione, her brother Leslie, and her son in law Blake Barney.

Shirley loved fiercely and fought fearlessly. The family would like to thank Brio Hospice and her nurses; specifically, Anjula and Ken, for providing fantastic care and guidance. They did everything in their power to make her as comfortable as possible during her last 9 days. She was at peace passing from this world to the next and we will be forever grateful for the care she received.

A celebration of life will be held at Hawker Funeral Home in Blackfoot, ID, June 28, 2024 2 PM. The Service will also be live streamed on her obituary via Hawker Funeral Home’s website.