David Francis Lewis

David Francis Lewis, 77, died on Saturday, June 6, 2020. The fourth of 13 children born to Frank and Catherine (Thorman) Lewis on June 20, 1942, Dave grew up in Adrian, MN. After graduating from Adrian High School, he served on the USS Vega in the U.S. Navy from 1960-1963. When he returned home to Minnesota, he was introduced to Mary Susan (Penning) at the Ritz Ballroom in Lismore. They stayed in touch while he worked in Nebraska and were married at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Lismore on November 21, 1964.

Dave attended barber school in St. Paul, working in White Bear Lake and Rosemount while he and Mary began raising their four young children. In 1972, they moved to Amboy where Dave opened his own shop on Main Street. He managed his business for over 48 years without making a single appointment or even having a telephone in the store. Dave cut three generations of hair and entertained thousands with his life wisdom, sports talk, and quick-witted responses. If he wasn’t at the barber shop, Dave could be found helping his kids with DIY projects, watching a ball game, or hitting grounders to his grandkids. The barber also did his best to serve others in the community as Amboy’s mayor and longtime member of the Maple River School Board and St. Matthew Church Council. Coach to all, friend to everyone, Dave precluded every goodbye with “It’s been a joy.” His family can’t agree more.

Our beloved coach bravely faced a short battle with cancer before entering his eternal reward on the morning of June 6. Dave is survived by his wife Mary of Amboy; daughter Terri (Christopher) Anderson of Farwell, son Jon (Sheila) of Amboy, son Mark of Seattle, son Eric (Anne) of Le Sueur; grandchildren Benjamin (Renee), Alexandra (James), Michael (Maddie), Kathryn (William), Jeffrey (Mackenzie), Joseph, Abigail, and Jack; great-granddaughter Claire; siblings, Sr. Dale, Ruth (Clarence) Bauer, Rose Gebers, Donna Lewis, Aggie (Bill) Chaltraw, Leon Lewis, Leona (Brian) Espeset, Carol (Doc) Bullard, Dale Lewis, Tess (Kono) Berning. He is preceded in death by his father Frank, mother Catherine, brothers Denny and Gordy Lewis, sister-in-law Carol, and brother-in-law Harold.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Matthew’s Church in Vernon Center Friday, June 12 at 10:30 a.m. with interment to follow at St. Matthew’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Anne’s Catholic School in Le Sueur, St. Matthew’s Church in Vernon Center, or donor’s choice. A special thanks to the nurses and doctors at Mankato Mayo Clinic who cared for Dave during his final weeks.