Barbara Lewis

Barbara J. Lewis, 84, of Platteville, passed away on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at the Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Mary's Campus in Rochester, MN. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Lancaster United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2019. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service, with a reception to immediately follow. The Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, is serving the family. Memorials may be made to the Barbara J. Lewis Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Barb was born March 2, 1934 on her family's ancestral farm in Willow Springs, Wisconsin to Wilfrid and Martha (Post) Parkinson. She attended the Parkinson one-roomed school house near the farm and graduated valedictorian from Mineral Point High School. She often reconnected with a group of her classmates throughout the years, calling themselves “The Moths.” She attended the University of Wisconsin—Platteville earning both a Bachelors and Masters of Science in Education degrees in Elementary Education. While attending UW-Platteville, Barb met and married Bob. They had been married for 63 years. She was a dedicated elementary school teacher and taught in Brooklyn, WI, Marion, WI, Stonebank, WI, and Everest, KS.

During her youth, she was a member of the 4H club. She was an active member of her church. She volunteered many hours to Heifer Project International in Little Rock, AR. She organized “Trees from Home,” sending small Christmas trees to deployed military. She was a dedicated member of DAR and had served as Regent.

She enjoyed traveling in and out of the US with her husband Bob and often wrote detailed journals about them. She was a gifted seamstress on her Elna sewing machine, purchased when she was first married. She made many garments throughout her life including her wedding dress. She was also a talented cook. She could take any leftover and turn it into a delicious casserole. She enjoyed playing dominoes, card games, and participating in local book clubs.

She had a great love for her family. She was actively involved in her family history research and challenged inaccurate information. She verified a portrait displayed at the First Wisconsin Capitol in Belmont, WI was of her ancestor and not the Territorial Governor, Henry Dodge. She was instrumental in receiving the Wisconsin Pioneer Family certificate for her Parkinson ancestors. Finally, she oversaw the challenge of replacing three trees on campus to honor WWI fallen UW-Platteville soldiers.

She is survived by her children, Jeannie (Todd) Morando of Kansas City, KS; James Lewis of Junction City, KS; and Nancy (William) Rogers of Trempealeau, WI; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers Arnold Parkinson, David (Lori Ann) Parkinson, Donald (Sheri) Parkinson; and sisters Joanne (Sam) Wallendal, Nancy (Rick) Ritter and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert “Bob” Lewis, three nephews and a niece.