Obituaries

Judy Besecker Lewis

Photo of Judy Besecker Lewis
Judy Besecker Lewis was born July 23, 1940, the second of five children of Sula Florence Besecker Eberwein and Ray Franklin Besecker. She was educated in Drake County, Ohio, at Manchester College in Ind., earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska, and an LPS Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught elementary school in Columbus, Ohio, started a private kindergarten in Cumberland, Md, and then spent 32 years with the Lincoln Public Schools in Lincoln, Neb., mostly with those delightful five year olds in Kindergarten and later a few years in LPS administration, spending many years working with long time friend Coni Schwartz. Then Miss Judy spent nine years with the Springdale Public Library in Ark. telling stories to three and four year olds using lots of puppets and music and costumes to help tell the stories, leaving story time in good hands with Erin Renollet. Judy is survived by her husband, David Lewis and married that special man on July 20, 1968. They spent most of their married life in Lincoln, Neb., where they touched countless lives both in public schools and at the University where David was a professor of Agronomy and the Department Head of the Horticulture Department. They were sponsors of the David T. Lewis Scholarship in the Horticulture/Agronomy Department, which helps students pay their tuition. They were also big supporters of the Native American groups that Dave connected with when he taught the Great Plains classes at UNL. Judy is also survived by her magnificent daughter, Sarah Lewis and wonderful husband, Kelly Tribell and great-stepgrandchildren Emma and Hayes Tribell. She will also be survived by her soon-to-arrive grandson, Isaac Lewis Tribell. Judy was a long time member of the Church of the Brethren in Potsdam, Ohio and at the Church of the Brethren in Lincoln, Neb. After retirement and a move to Ark., she became a member of the Central United Methodist Church in Rogers. When Judy was diagnosed with AML-Leukemia, Central's members were so supportive of her and Dave, for which they were so grateful. After retirement from the library, Judy joined the Benton County Master Gardener Program where she enjoyed making new friends, especially Regina Neely and Joanne York, and learning about native plants and ideas to improve the flower and vegetable gardens at home. She is also survived by three siblings; Bonnie Lavy of Ark. (husband Dr. Terry), Joe Besecker (wife Renee), and Dr. Irvin Besecker (wife Connie); nine nieces and nephews and their spouses; Tammy Calico (Greg), Trevor Lavy (Kellie), Tara Riley (Bryan), Samantha Gray (Dan), Bret Besecker (Camelia), Barry Besecker (Jenny) and Tabby Clements (Rob), Kevin Besecker (Angie) and Kerry Besecker; her great-nieces and nephews Carter, Colin, and Corissa Calico, Brittany Priest, Emma Bradford, Hannah, Olivia, Anna Grave Lavy, Tanner, Keaton, Regan Riley, Camille, Luke, Zaiah Gray, Alex and Gabe Besecker, Logan and Blake Besecker, Elijah, Adrienne, Zach, Claire, Natalie, Joelle Clements, Ava and Ethan Besecker, Tyler, Daniel, Garrett Besecker; her great-great-nephews Zaid & Hendrix Calico, John Grady and Langley Anne Priest. Brothers and sisters in-law Norm Michaud, Martha Rosenberg, Rachel and Nick Nickelson, nephews Nathaniel Michaud (wife Carol), Aaron Nickelson (wife Joy), Jack Craft (wife Amy); Nieces Mary Lewis Kenna and Naomi Newhouse (husband Ed Oscarson), as well as several great-nephews and nieces in-law. In addition, Judy is survived by the children of long time friends, Noel and Martha Richardson, their special extended family from Rogers, Ark., and Kansas City, Mo.: Amy, Todd, Hunter and Hannah Smith, Ann, Brad, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Kimberly Southers, Margaret, Frankie, Keele, and Jared McLaurin, Matthew, Clem, Alexus, Jessica, Zachary and Jacob Richardson. The family invites you to "Tea in the Garden" at Central United Methodist Church, 2535 W. New Hope Road, Rogers, Ark. on Monday Aug. 29 6:30-8 p.m. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Sunday October 16 at 3:30 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church, Rogers. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to The Healing Gardens of NWA PO Box 7104 Springdale Ark., to the Serenity Garden of the Central United Methodist Church of Rogers, or to the Springdale Public Library Children's Reading Program. Interment will be take place in Fort Dodge Memorial Park in Fort Dodge, Iowa, at a later date. Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. Fourth, Rogers. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.

Published August 28, 2016

Upcoming Events