Sorry to hear of Lee’s passing. Flew F-86D and F-89J aircraft with Lew in the 54th Fighter Inceptor Squadron at Rapid City, South Dakota. He was a remarkable pilot and exceptional friend. 

Bob Genereaux, Oak Harbor, WA.

I met Lew in the Air Force.  We were station in Rapid City, SD.  Lew grew up on a farm in Iowa and had several phrases that made me laugh.  Colder than a turkey turd on a pump handle was one.  Will the help of a fellow squadron member I was able to chase him down and had a few e-mails with his wife before he passed.  I funny and very nice man.

A good man.
The Best!
With
Love,
Sally Amtmann

So sad to learn of your loss, Irene.  We miss you at Book Club and I think of you every time I drive into Lake Doster.  My thoughts and heart are with you.


Sorry to hear. I had great respect for my cousin Lew. Always a great guy!

I am Donna Keele, sister of Irene, Lew's wife.  Lew and Irene came to Faribault, MN quite often to visit Irene's family.  Our Dad, Stanley Nusbaum, was an avid biker.  Irene, Lew and I joined him occasionally on bike rides.  One early September, we biked on the Root River Bike Trail to Lanesboro, MN.  It was a beautiful day and ride.  And the piece of blueberry pie in Whalan was delicious!  If my memory is correct, Dad Irene and Lew were in much better shape than I was!

Sending my sympathy to the family of Lew, is was a kind soft spoken person.  

I remember Lew coming by the weather data radar that was on some kind of a TV service we received at the office.  It was really “new technology” in the early to mid 90’s.  

One day Lew explained how the different weather fronts rotated and have a some really interesting information that I have not forgotten!  He always had a welcome smile when I saw him in the office.  

I didn’t know much about Lew personally but wish I had.  Remembering today makes me smile!

Lois Heuchert
Upjohn Animal Health

Irene, so sorry to hear of Lew’s passing.
Often,  “Death is Sweet,” as I experienced.
I wish Art was alive to tell the many, many, many wonderful, funny, heart warming stories of their days at Iowa State.
Wishing, you, and your family peace and happiness.

This picture was taken in 2013 when we visited Irene and Lew in Michigan. During the trip, we visited the Air Zoo where Lew had volunteered. It was such a fun day, and we still recall all the nice memories from that visit and how much Lew enjoyed showing us around. 

My name is Larry Steed. Lew and I flew F86D's together at Ellsworth Air Force Base in the Mid 1950's. He is and was a great guy and always good for a laugh. I lost track of him when I was sent overseas and always wondered where he was and what he was doing. My best to his Family. Larry Steed

I met Lew in the Air Force in South Dakota in 1957.  He was a fun farm boy from Iowa that had a lot of folksy expressions that I had never heard before and had me laughing a lot.  Lew left the air force and I lost track of him but then found a couple of years ago in Michigan.  After his service he went to Vet school and was probably very good at it but he told me he got tired trying help large animals in the cold winters so opened a small animal clinic.  I tried to visit in Michigan but they were in the process of moving so it didn't work out.  He was a very nice guy and I'm sure his family was as well.  Deepest sympathy for a life well lived.  

Many a good times did we have!! We roomed together for two years when we were in Vet school! Our paths never crossed after Vet school but the memories we had in Vet school will be remembered forever. Condolences to you Irene and your sons and families! God Bless!! Bernie Hecht

OBITUARY

Clair Lewis Henke

January 25, 1934 – September 14, 2022

Hill Funeral Home

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