HIGHLAND, Calif. – Stella (Stel) Daphine Lewis peacefully passed away in Highland, Calif., in the very early hours of Oct. 13, 2024. She was born in Osage City, Kan., in 1932, the daughter of Arvid and Lois Carlson, of Overbrook, Kan.
Her father’s family immigrated from Sweden to the United States in the late 1800s.
Stel was the first one in her family to go to college and she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Kansas. She taught at Mexico High School, in Missouri, and at Amarillo Junior College, in Texas.
She was married for more than 55 years to Eldon Lewis, and they were both avid bridge players. She also loved reading and traveling. Stel and Eldon lived in several states, including Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, and for the past 35 years in Highland.
Stel worked for the former Farm Credit Services of Southern California.
Husband Eldon and her brother, Keith Carlson, predeceased her.
Stel is survived by her three children, Jayne (Brook), Katie (Blaine), and Curt (Roza); and five grandchildren, Peter, Karly, Ashlyn, Caitlin and Claire. Caitlin helped care for Stel during the last few years of her life.
Stel was deeply loved by everyone in her family.
At her request, no official services will be held. Internment will be private at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, Calif.
