Justina June "Gussie" Lewis, 88, died at her home in Sturgis on Monday, August 29, 2022.

Gussie was born July 7, 1934, in Sioux Falls, SD, the middle child of James and Marguerite (Castle) Adams.

She grew up in loving family surrounded by siblings and cousins. Gussie met her future husband and love of her life, Dwane Lewis, at the age of 15 while ice-skating at Drake Springs in Sioux Falls. They were married three years later on August 28, 1952. She was blessed with ten children, thirty-one grandchildren, forty-one great-grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren.

Early on, Gussie was a homemaker, but her ever growing family caused her to seek employment both at and away from home. She waitressed on and off for the Nickel Plate Restaurant, babysat, worked for South Dakota Department of Agriculture and delivered phone books. After the family moved to Sturgis in 1972, she worked for many years at Sparrow's Bakery. Gussie also performed the bookkeeping for the family business, Lewis Well Drilling.

Gussie was invited to join the "Coffee Club" by her friend, June in Sioux Falls. There she played Tripoley, drank coffee (of course) and made many life-long friendships. She was active in Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts. In 1965, along with Frank Caffrey, they started the Hilltop Softball League in Sioux Falls. The ball fields are still there at Saint Lambert's Church. Gussie made many more friends as a member of TOPS in Sturgis. She enjoyed playing cards, watching the Minnesota Twins compete, game shows, and the companionship of family, and friends. Gussie had a loving soul and was always the favorite of small children, and animals. Many of her nieces and nephews considered her a second mom. It is possible that each of her nieces will always think that they were her favorite. She was a member of Saint Francis of Assisi Church for fifty years.

Gussie is survived by nine children, Dwane (Denise) Lewis, Catherine (Dana) Shay, James (Joan) Lewis, David Lewis, Edward (Colleen) Lewis, Mary (Mike) Jensen, Carol (Jim) Hamilton, Robert (Shalae) Lewis, and Julie (Greg) Bernal; Gussie was blessed with thirty-one grandchildren, Rebecca (Scott) Winn, Andrea (Taylor) Kuhl, Adam Clauson, Jesse Riddle, Moriah (Brock) Williams, Samantha (Joel) Greenacre, Heidi Jo (Mike) Uit De Flesch, Tina (Terje) Hansen, Josh (Kathy) Lewis, Heidi Ann Hoffman, Jeremiah (Alicia) Lewis, Shaun (Karen) Lewis, Matthew Lewis, Sarah (Pat) Lewis, Jamie (Stephen) Standen, Adam Lewis, Krista (Austin) Lewis, Daniel Jensen, Kristi Jensen, Elizabeth (Brady) Jensen, Amanda (Kasey) Shoun, Robert Hamilton, Ben Hamilton, Dewey (Amore`) Hamilton, Cassandra (Jeff) Reed, Mary (Danny) Strain, Emily and Mitchell Massey, Megan Bernal, Alyssa Bernal, and Melissa (Jerome) Crouch; forty-one great-grandchildren, Landon, and Thomas Winn, Sophia, and Jackson Kuhl, Terrel, Terrance, Tatum, Tessa, Rhett, and Morgan Williams, Joleen, and Lander Greenacre, Daniel Walter, Ireland Uit De Flesch, Christian, and Olivia Hansen, EJ, and Adalee Lewis, Jace Johnson, Karina (Alex) Causey, Nolan, and Jaden Williams, Addison Wetzler, Abigail, Ashley, and Andrew Standen, Hayden Wipf-Engel, Aubree, Hazeli, and Aurora Engel, Justin Jensen, Gage, Breanna, Gavin, Maddison, and Makayla Shoun, Dwane Hamilton, Jocelyn Reed, Hudson, and Harper Strain, and Maverick Massey; two great-great-grandchildren, Evie, and Ellie Causey; siblings, Mitzi Baustian, Bud Adams, Susie Thomas, Georgia (Harold) Bates, Virgil Lewis, Julie Carr, and Debbie (Terry) Hopkins; special friends, Trish Piechal, Barb and Hugh Wier and family, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and outlaws.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dwane; and son, Mark; son in laws, James Riddle, and Robert Hamilton; sisters, Pauline Hanson, Mona Lewis, Barbara Rodecap, Margie Sumner, Carole Whalen; brothers, Jim Adams, Robbie Castle; and countless loved ones.

Visitation will be Friday, September 2, 2022, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel, Sturgis from 4-6 p.m. with a rosary beginning at 6 p.m.

Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, September 3, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis with Father Timothy Castor officiating.

Inurnment will be at St. Aloysius Cemetery in Sturgis at a later date.

Click on the link to view service folder