Jutta M. Lewis

Another sunrise rose this morning after Jutta closed her eyes for the last time on January 11, 2024.   Yesterday had been her last sunrise of many to see from her favorite place on the balcony.

Jutta was born in Koenigsberg East Prussia 5 February 1932 the only child to Elizabeth & Alfred Rheinhold.  Her father died when she was six.  

Although Jutta was from a prominent professional family, she had a nomadic existence.  After her father's death she was sent to a boarding school in Czechoslovakia.  In WW II when the Russians invaded Czechoslovakia, her entire teenage class fled by foot across the arduous track to Bavaria.   From there she was relocated to Mecklenburg & reunited with her mother.

Met Ray when she was a dental student at Muenster working in the WallaHalla Night Club in Wiesbaden to support herself.
  
Where Two drifters found each other & overcame a year of political & parental opposition & with USAF permission hurriedly married by the local Burgermeister in Wehen/Ts.   Doomed to failure, this Marriage lasted almost 67 years until her death.

Each year on the 1st of March the anniversary date, a special candle was lit & allowed to burn a minute for each martial year.  A chronology of what happened each year was read from a ledger and reminisced during candle burning as a clock ticked off each minute.

Two sons were born to Jutta.   Dr. Michael A. Lewis who is living in Neuhaus, Germany & Stephan R. Lewis.  The latter is Deceased.  From these two and their marriages are four surviving grandchildren:  Eric, Stephanie, Eddie & Dylan.  Great Grandchildren three.  She is also survived by her husband Meridith Ray Lewis from San Antonio Texas

Had Jutta pursued a professional career she no doubt would have been successful.  She opted instead to be supportive of her husband's military, contractor, & Civil Service careers which took them to assignments in many parts of the world.

She worked outside the home after their younger son reached age six.  Jutta excelled in every position held.  As an Avon Representative, Shoe Store clerk, Convenience Store Manager, various administrative positions with Boeing Services Int in Turkey, a Civil Service Educational Specialist, Army Staff Judge Advocate Clerk, Assistant to Dr. Sinek in Biology Dept. at St Mary's University, and Co-owner of   ERAYCO, a profitable Knife, Gift,& Collectible Shop.

Throughout her life since 1951 Jutta had battled & survived major forms of cancer - ovarian, breast & lung. In her last bout with most recent cancer, she declined all other treatment after being treated with radiation.  Jutta was then placed in Hospice Home Care by Christus Hospice VNA on April 25, 2023, where she received excellent care to keep her from pain and comfortable.  Her end of life sped up when she fell, gashed her head and fractured her hip on the 8 Jan 2024.

Puente & Sons Funeral Chapels at 14315 Judson Rd in San Antonio TX 78233 will be handling the cremation and other related details. No funeral or memorial services are planned or scheduled.  Later, for family members a special display or memorial will be presented at the Family Reunion in Breaux Bridge on 8 June 2024.