Linda Caroline Lewis

Linda Lewis, 104, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and child of God, died in Wichita, KS, on July 11. She was born in Gordonville, MO, oldest daughter of William and Martha Lange Gerecke, and was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Gordonville. In January 1933, she married William (Bill) Lewis. Linda and Bill were active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, MO, for many years. She taught Sunday school, was a member of the Senior Ladies Aid, and was active in the quilting circle. She worked at the International Shoe Company for seven years and after that made a loving home for her family. For more than 100 years, Linda baked cookies, pies and other treats for her family, made a beautiful quilt for each grandchild and regularly corresponded with family and friends, especially Mary Dunham of Cape Girardeau, MO. In 1995, Linda and Bill moved to Kansas to be near their daughters, Martha and Mary. Linda formed new friendships at Zion Lutheran Church in Chanute, KS, and at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Wichita, KS. However, Linda kept her membership at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau. She loved her friends and family and counted them as God’s greatest blessings to her. Her steadfast faith in Jesus was an anchor for her family. A woman of great strength and resilience, she amazed all who knew her. She lived in Wichita, KS, at the time of her death. She is survived by two brothers, Lorenz Gerecke of Escondido, CA, and William (Sue) Gerecke of Cape Girardeau, MO; two daughters, Martha (M. Thomas) Brooks of Forsyth, MO; and Mary (Tom) Schaefer, of Wichita, KS; five grandchildren, Mary (Bruce) Brittain of Andover, KS; Paul (Tonya) Brooks, of Archer City, TX; Matthew (Krista )Brooks, of Hays, KS; Jami (Nathan) Cuka, of Baltimore, MD; and Joel (Amy) of Andover, KS; 13 great-grandchildren, Evan and Hanna Brittain; Jacey, Jahna, and Tessa Brooks; Thomas, Nathaniel, and Jayne Brooks; Penelope and Samuel Cuka; and Grace, Ellen and William Schaefer; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, William; four sisters, Ella Gerecke Shelton, Anita Gerecke Taylor, Edna Gerecke Schwartz, and Maria Gerecke; three brothers, Martin, Edward and Walter Gerecke; two half-sisters, Frieda Gerecke Quade and Ida Gerecke Quade; and three half-brothers, Herman, Alvin and Fred Gerecke. Memorial services for Linda Lewis will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 19, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 100 N.Frederick St., Cape Girardeau, MO. Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be given to Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice of Wichita, Kansas. .

Linda Caroline Lewis

October 22, 1909 - July 11, 2014