Marian Joan Lewis

Marian Joan Hoff Lewis, 93, passed away peacefully at her home in Lakeland, Florida, on December 23, 2023. Marian was born on February 20, 1930, in Wishek, North Dakota, the daughter of Nellie Fraser Hoff and William Friedrich Hoff. She grew up in Wishek and Devil’s Lake, North Dakota, lived in San Francisco, California during World War II, and graduated from Wishek High School, Wishek, North Dakota in 1948. She then worked as a nurse’s aide at Stillwater State Hospital, Stillwater, Minnesota where she met Russell S. “Bud” Lewis from Washington, D.C. They were married in Anoka, Minnesota on December 27, 1948. Marian and Bud made homes in Clemson, South Carolina; Glenmont and Rockville, Maryland; Crane and Bloomington, Indiana; Maitland, Florida, and Rockville, Maryland. Marian’s home for the last year was in Lakeland, Florida.

Marian was a homemaker tending her family for many years. Marian attended classes at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Marian was a volunteer Pink Lady at Bloomington Hospital, Bloomington, Indiana, and at Montgomery General Hospital, Olney, Maryland. She then worked in the pathology department of Montgomery General Hospital as a medical secretary and lab manager for thirty-three years.

Marian was involved in church service, particularly the choir and altar guild, and taught confirmation classes. She was a knitter, worked needlepoint, and crafted candles. Marian tended gardens and shared beautiful flowers with countless others. Marian was a prolific writer of postcards, and a gift giver. The sun and sand were a joy to her. She and Bud spent many wonderful hours on their sailboat on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Marian packed her suitcase and traveled throughout the world.

Marian was baptized on April 13, 1930, at Grace Presbyterian Church, Wishek, North Dakota. She and her family were members of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Clemson, South Carolina; St Mary’s Episcopal, Aspen Hill, Maryland; Calvary Lutheran, Silver Spring, Maryland; Faith Lutheran, Bloomington, Indiana; Trinity Lutheran, Orlando, Florida; The Lutheran Church of St Andrew, Silver Spring, Maryland; and Grace Lutheran, Lakeland, Florida.

Marian was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Russell “Bud” Lewis. Marian is survived by her children Marty (Sharon) Lewis of Lakeland, Florida; Peggy (Kurt) Eckel of Sandy Mush, North Carolina; Kathy (Claes) Hammar of Stockholm, Sweden; and Andy (Deni) Lewis of Yorktown, Virginia; 10 grandchildren: Ben Nieting, Reba (Ian) Robinson, Susannah (PG) Jönsson, Meagan King, Michael (Niki) Lewis, Philip Hammar, Leif (Tabea) Hammar, Adam (Emily) Nieting, Jona (Beth) Lewis, Aaron Lewis; and 18 great-grandchildren: Kaylee, Leo, Karina, Nellie, Kaitlyn, Matthew, Riley, Emily, Isabel, Zachary, Brooks, Eskil, Stone, Joshua, Ilon, Sadie, Even, Alwis; and many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Elizabeth Hoff Paul, and brother Gordon Hoff; stepmother Rebecca Hoff Hochhalter, stepsister Mabel Boschee, and stepbrother Howard Hiller. Marian is survived by her sister Charlotte Hoff Biemiller, brother Larry (Renee) Hoff, stepsister Idella Vossler, stepbrother Harlan Hiller, and sister-in-law Vangie Hoff.

Memorial services will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, Lakeland, Florida, and The Lutheran Church of St Andrew, Silver Spring, Maryland. Burial at St. John the Evangelist Cemetery, Forest Glen, Maryland. Dates pending.

Memorial gifts may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew