Bernard R. "Bud" Lewison, 84, of Blooming Prairie, died Tuesday, Oct. 26, 1999 at Prairie Manor. He was born December 6, 1914 in Aurora Township, the son of Edward and Martha (Anderson) Lewison. Attended District #71 school in Aurora Township, Steele County. Prior to marriage he worked as a hired hand for several area farmers. He married Ethel Boje on 1-25-39 at the Methodist Parsonage in Waseca. Following marriage the couple lived in Oakland, where he owned and operated an auto repair garage until 1942. He then worked as a mechanic for Metcalfe, Hamilton & Kansas City Bridge Co. in Alaska until the end of WW II. He returned to Minnesota and the family moved to Owatonna and worked for several years as a mechanic for Lindekugal's garage, Johnson Motors and Lewison Motors. In the early 1950s he began farming near Pratt and then in 1958 he purchased a farm in Summit Township of Steele County. He farmed there until retirement in the early 1970s. The couple had wintered in McAllen, Texas for the past 17 years. He was a member of Aurora Lutheran church, and had served as its Vice President. He also had taught Sunday school. He enjoyed fishing, playing pool and dancing. He was a member of the dairy association and showed dairy cows at the Steele County Free Fair. Survivors include two sons, Ronald and Judy of Owatonna; Gerald and Jan of Owatonna; one daughter, Joyce and James Johns of rural Blooming Prairie; one sister, Signe Collander of Edina; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife on August 4, 1999; a son, Richard; four brothers and two sisters. Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 30, 1999 at 10:30 a. m. at Aurora Lutheran Church with Reverend Paul Nelson officiating. Burial was in the Aurora Lutheran Cemetery in Havana Township. Memorials to the Aurora Lutheran Church or donor's choice.

(from the Owatonna People's Press 10/28/1999)