Gladys Lewis

Gladys G. Lewis, 99, of Saint James, formerly of Lewisville, died on October 13, 2025, at Heartland Sr. Living in Truman, Minnesota.

Visitation will be on Sunday, October 19, 2025, from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Sturm Funeral in Saint James. Visitation will continue on Monday at 10:00 am at First Presbyterian Church in Saint James. A Celebration of Life service will be held Monday, October 20, 2025, at 11:00 am, at the First Presbyterian Church in Saint James. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Saint James. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com

Gladys was born on October 5, 1926, in Winona County, Minnesota to Alfred (Roy) Phipps and Elodie Ely Phipps, the youngest of seven children. Her family moved to the Saint James/Lewisville area in 1929 where they lived on various Tilney farms over the next 16 years. She graduated from Saint James High School in 1944. Her family moved to southern Wisconsin in 1945 where she lived until she married Leslie Lewis in September of 1946. After Leslie graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1949, they moved to Lewisville where they farmed and raised their seven children. They lived on that farm for 63 years before moving to Prairie View in Saint James. She and Leslie were married for 72 years.

Gladys was an avid vegetable and flower gardener. She kept busy canning and feeding her large family but later found time to arrange flowers. She shared flower arrangements and corsages with many, including an arrangement for the altar at First Presbyterian Church every Sunday during the growing season for over 40 years. She took the Master Gardener course and served in that capacity for over 12 years. She was a 4-H club leader for 15 years, had been a member of the Saint James Garden Club for 8 years, was an elder and deacon at First Presbyterian, taught Sunday School and Bible School, and together with Leslie were named Watonwan County's Outstanding Senior Citizens in 2010. Gladys loved crafts and crocheting, sharing many of her creations with family and friends. She also did extensive research into family history and created a detailed book for each of her children complete with family trees and photos.

Gladys is survived by her children, Marcia (Gene) of Burnsville, Jim (Jennifer) of Hackensack, Denise (Pat) of Eagan, Ken (Gloria) of Lewisville, Karen of Owatonna, Mary (Wayne) of Hager City, Wisconsin; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 6 step-grandchildren; 7 step great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews and other loving relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathy in 1958; son-in-law, Chad Ruble in 2012; and her husband, Leslie in 2018. She was also preceded in death by all of her siblings, Marie (Al) Thomas, Alfred Phipps, Fred (Margie) Phipps, Tim (Lorinda) Phipps, Mollie (Roy) Kuhlman, and Sussie (Willis) Kuhlman; as well as Leslie's siblings, James (Phyllis), Ralph (Esther) and Betty Lewis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Watonwan County Historical Society or donor's choice.

The family would like to thank Heartland Sr. Living, the staff at Saint James Hospital, and Saint Croix Hospice for their wonderful care and compassion.