In Remembrance

Ethel M. Lewis, 87, of Duluth, went peacefully with the Lord on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at home surrounded by her family. She was born May 3, 1938 in Cloquet, MN to Emil and Vieno Pantsar. She attended Esko Public Schools, graduating in 1956. She married Jerry Lewis on October 7, 1961 and remained married until her death in 2025. Together, they built their home and raised their four children in the Kenwood area. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

She was quite accomplished in music, playing the baritone horn in high school and had an extremely keen ear for singing harmony. After high school, she worked as a secretary for both the Northwest Paper Mill in Cloquet and the Endion Community Methodist Church of Duluth. While dating Jerry, she did not know how to swim but let her two brothers teach her to waterski with a life jacket. She soon developed a love of the water, spending hours up at the lake floating and swimming around the bay. Later in life, she waitressed for the DECC for 20 plus years.

Ethel was the centerpiece of her family. She loved deeply and unconditionally. Through the years she loved attending the various activities that her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participated in and was always so happy for others’ successes in life. She loved family gatherings, music, dancing, laughing, bingo, organizing, traveling and spending time at their cabin on Island Lake. Here she loved spending time with family taking saunas, swimming, boating, snowmobiling, riding in the golf cart, playing card games, scrabble, cribbage and was most happy with a rake in her hands. She loved ending her conversations with “Nahdaan Sitten” (see you later) in Finnish.

Ethel battled mobility issues and other chronic conditions but despite her pain, always asked how others were doing and didn’t focus on her own difficulties. She was always grateful and thankful to those who helped her. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry Lewis, sons Chip (Sue) Lewis, Curt (Lynette) Lewis, daughters Penny Lewis and Peggy (Brian) Shelton; her grandchildren Danielle (Matt) Vaillant, Stephen (Jenna) Shelton, Nevada Shelton and Jacob Lewis; her great-grandchildren Mason, Eliza, Charlotte, Kale, Finn and Lorelei; her sisters Verna Flynn and her twin sister Edie Blazevic, along with many nieces, nephews, and very good friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers Jim, Edwin and Danny.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. until the 4:00 p.m. memorial service at the First United Methodist Church. 230 E. Skyline Pkwy, Duluth, MN 55811. Dinner will be served following the service. Arrangements by Affordable Cremation & Burial.