Genene Lewis, resident of Forest Grove, Oregon, passed away in her home on October 13, 2024 surrounded by family and just two days shy of her 98th birthday.

Genene was born to Harland and Eleanor Jensen in Kennard, Nebraska in 1926, where she grew up surrounded by the company of her four other siblings during the Great Depression Era. Nonetheless, Genene was a spirited young woman and held dear her passions of reading and sports throughout her life. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fremont High School in 1944, where she was a vibrant part of the school community through her participation in the school band, the choir, her selection as Valedictorian, and an enthusiastic voice in the stands of various Tigers Athletics teams.

After her high school years, Genene attended the University of Nebraska where she studied to be a teacher. She graduated in 1950 and began a brief yet impactful career as a high school teacher, wherein she taught Journalism and English Literature in Burwell, NE and later in Beatrice, NE. It was during this time that she reunited with an old flame from her high school days, Ronald Lewis (Fremont High School Class of 1945). Though the stories of their early days of courtship may vary depending on who you ask, one thing remains consistent: they were smitten with each other.

The two were married on June 17, 1952 and bravely set off for the Pacific Northwest during their honeymoon. They briefly settled in Seattle, where they welcomed their first son, Scott, in 1953. Both extremely adept with their hands, Ron and Genene built a home for their young family in then small-town Brier, Washington. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Genene became an expert at working a bulldozer and using dynamite to clear out the land. In this home, they continued to grow their family with the birth of their son, Kurt, in 1955 and their daughter, Ann, in 1960. Their home was a loving one in every way, and was a beacon of warmth for friends and families in Brier.

After determining that 23 years together was simply not enough time, Ron and Genene relocated to Port Angeles, Washington, so that Ron could come home every night from his post as Captain on the Black Ball Coho Ferry. Here, they saw their final child finish high school and Genene continued to expand her passion for learning and art as she took classes from the local college in painting and sculpture. Their home in Port Angeles was marked by the beautiful artistic creations of both Genene and Ron as well as objects collected throughout their many travels, and once again became a loving centre for their children and grandchildren to explore and enjoy.

Genene and Ron moved to Forest Grove, Oregon in 2005 to be closer to their family in their retirement years. During these years, Genene continued to pour through hundreds (if not thousands) of novels in her free time, keep up to date on all world events, and cheer on her beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers from afar. She was a proud Husker throughout her life, and proudly hung her Nebraska flag outside of their home in Forest Grove, despite some competing loyalties from neighbours.

Beyond all of this, she was an exceptionally sensible albeit compassionate woman who always proudly stood up for the rights of all Americans. She was a lifelong Democrat and made an excellent debate partner for anyone brave enough to try and take her on. She was a deeply curious and adventurous woman, who consistently pushed the boundaries of what was expected of her in society and strove to experience as much of life as possible.

She is predeceased by her best friend, husband, and love of her life, Ronald Lewis, who passed away in 2020. Together they lived a beautiful life full of love. She is survived by her three beloved children, Scott Lewis (Natalie) of Pattaya, Thailand, Kurt Lewis (Miriam) of Whitefish, Montana, and Ann Amorine (Mark) of Forest Grove, Oregon. She is also survived and loved by her four grandchildren, Matthew Amorine (Quinn) of Forest Grove, Oregon, Adam Amorine (Mariana) of Seattle, Washington, Hanna Lewis (Darragh Robinson) of Berlin, Germany, and Delaney Lewis of Calgary, Alberta.

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