Lewis Archie Guthrie

Lewis Archie Guthrie died at Good Samaritan Hospital, Kearney, NE on Sunday, December 27, 2009, encircled by family. He was 78 years old.

Lewis was born to Lee and Lottie (Bonar) Guthrie in Indianola, on May 12, 1931. He graduated from Indianola High School in 1950.

As a teenager he worked at McCook Safeway Store; on his Uncle Code and Aunt Dorothy Loux’ farm in Imperial; as a laborer for local farmers; an electrician apprentice; and with his father in the well and pump business. He joined the United States Air Force in January 1951 where he served in a Production Control Office of an Air Craft Maintenance Squadron.

On May 19, 1951, he was united in marriage to Beverly June Wolfe of Wilsonville at his parents’ home in Indianola. To this union three children were born.

His son, Lewis Lamar (Marty) was 14 months old when Lewis returned after spending 20 months in France and Germany during the Korean Conflict. They lived in Rapid City, SD from July to October of 1953, awaiting Lewis’ discharge from the Air Force. He returned to help his ailing father in the well and pump business. After his fathers death, besides well and pump work Lewis helped his brother, Carl, with construction and masonry work. Lewis was a jack-of-all-trades and took pride in doing quality work. When son, Myron Leslee was four month old, in August of 1956, they moved to a country home, then owned by Don Stewart, located northeast of Indianola. This was their home for 25 years.

Lewis was employed with Indianola Oil Company from 1956 to 1958 and with Lord’s Hardware from 1958 to 1960. Daughter, Loretta LeAnn (Lori) was born in May 1960 at which time Lewis went to work for the Bureau of Reclamation in McCook as a Surveyor Technician. A job he dearly loved and a title he held until October of 1981, when he became Superintendent of Enders Dam.

There were people whom questioned Lew’s desire to stay in Nebraska when he could have transferred to another city. He was content and happy living in the heart of fishing and hunting paradise. He was forever grateful to area farmers whom graciously allowed him to hunt giving him endless hours of pleasure.

He cherished his summer vacations boating, camping, and fishing for two weeks every July at “Big Mac” with his family. His many friends were one of his greatest assets. He treasured the times spent with his Oklahoma friends hunting and fishing. Lewis never knew a stranger. His vehicle automatically turned into the driveway of Jim and Leah Sughroue for coffee and conversation.

Upon retiring in June of 1988, Lew and Bev bought their first home in Holbrook where they were living at the time of his death. During his retirement, Lew’s daily therapy was to spend hours at the local café (now Ho Jo’s) to play cribbage and exchange insults with the “local yokels”. Lew joined the Lion’s Club shortly after moving to Holbrook and spent many hours helping with their annual auction and many other projects. He was also a member of the Eagles, VFW and Legion. He attended a church camp with Marty and other men from McCook Christian Church of which he looked forward to year after year.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Loydie, Carl, Dean and Lyle; sisters, Delma, Gail Porth, Opal Madden, Ruth Cappel and Evelyn Harris.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly Guthrie of Holbrook; sons, Marty and wife, Jane, of McCook and Myron and wife, Pam, of Indianola; daughter, Lori and husband, Dave Clough, of Culbertson; grandchildren, Keri Jo and husband, Heath Wilkinson of Lincoln, Aaron and wife, Misty Guthrie and Kayla June Guthrie all of Lincoln, Katie Jean Guthrie of Johnson City, TN, April Aaron Guthrie of Indianola, Brandon and wife, Megan Leak of Clarksville, AR and Jessi Leak of McCook; step-grandchildren, Bill Leak of Culbertson and Tricia and husband Steven Keppen of Lehigh Acres, FL; great-grandchildren, Shayli Jane, Shawna Marie, Josiah John and Jenna Sue Wilkinson, Lincoln; Dailee Sue and Jacob Lewis Guthrie of Lincoln, Campbell McKenna Leak of Clarksville, AR and Carter Larson of McCook; step-great-grandchildren, Tyler Leak of Indianola, Cody Leak and Tori Leak of Sioux Falls, SD; sister, Leah Davenport of Austin, TX; and brother-in-law, Herb and wife, Dolores Harris, of Denver, CO.

Memorials were to be given in his name.

Funeral services were Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 10:30 a.m. at McCook Christian Church with Pastor Clark Bates officiating.

A few years ago, Bev attempted to plan ahead. She asked Lew if, upon death, he wanted to be cremated. His reply, “Just throw me in Lake McConaughy....I’ve been feeding on those fish for years let them feed off me!” Going against his wishes a tad, the family plans to release a portion of his cremains in Big Mac and at a future date, a private family inurnment will be held in the Indianola Cemetery.