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Lewis Mendenhall was born October 31, 1916, to Paul and Edith Hoskins Mendenhall at their farm home six miles south of Hay Springs. He always joked that the world was celebrating his birthday on Halloween.

As was the custom in the large, farm families of the day the children worked hard and contributed to the work of the household and the farm. Lewis and his sister Alice were often assigned to help with laundry and to help care for the younger children. When one of the brothers accused his sister Ellen of lying, Lewis stood up for her, saying, “She just had a different opinion, that’s all.” He remembered as a four-year-old operating the one-bottom plow, assisted by his father and a gentle, strong Clydesdale horse. During his teen years, he cut and hauled timber from Beaver wall, driving a horse and wagon all the way. He spent the days skinning all the trees by hand, serving beans, bread, and coffee at twelve o’clock sharp for Floyd and their co-worker. The lumber was then sold to pay taxes during the Depression. He remembers being held out of school for days and weeks at a time to help with the farm, because, as his father said, “Lewis is smart. He’ll catch up.” Lewis attended Sandridge School through grade ten, then graduated from Hay Springs High School. He played trombone in the school band, and also loved football and baseball.

After high school, Lewis briefly attended William Penn College in Iowa, and later worked selling wind generators. Then, as it became apparent he would soon be called to the war effort, Lewis and his cousin Ted moved to California, hoping to be hired at Lockheed. Despite being told their chances were slim, within days they were both on the payroll. After the Pearl Harbor attack, Lewis enlisted, and served as a transport pilot with the Ninth Squadron in the Pacific. He was especially proud to be a part of the rescue of Allied prisoners of war in the Philippines.

Before being deployed, Lewis married Ella Marian Mielke. Following the war, they lived on the farm south of Hay Springs, where they raised four children. Singing together was a favorite pastime of Lewis and his family, and at his insistence all four children were soon able to join their parents in singing harmony. He encouraged the children to develop their musical abilities, and was always happy to hear them practice. Ella Marian was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1971, and died five years later.

Lewis and Lyla Scott married in 1980, and Lyla moved to the farm south of Hay Springs, bringing sparkle and vitality along with her. She became involved in the community and church, and the two of them enlarged their hearts to embrace each other’s families. Lyla was a warm and generous presence in the lives of Lewis’s grandchildren, and Lewis loved her grandchildren and was always very interested in their activities.

After leaving the farm, Lewis and Lyla moved to Chadron, where they enjoyed a vibrant church community and their proximity to Chadron State College. Lewis’s last years were spent in Crestview Care Center. As his health deteriorated, he faced physical challenges with grace and courage. Lyla provided encouragement and love, faithfully visiting and cheering him.

Lewis was affiliated with New Hope Friends Church, First Baptist Church, Gideons International, Rotary, The American Legion, and Farm Bureau.

He died on December 15th, 2009 at Crestview Care Center in Chadron.