Willicene Kathryn (Gundram) Lewis
May 14, 1925
August 16, 2022
Willicene Kathryn (Gundram) Lewis , age 97, passed away on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at Stoney Brook Assisted Living in Belton, Texas.
Willicene Kathryn (Kay) was born May 14, 1925 to Ralph Gundram and Lillian ( Pinnow) Gundram in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Her early years were spent living in Whittier, California; Omaha, Nebraska; and Council Bluffs, Iowa where she graduated from high school.
Kay met the love of her life, James Harris Lewis, at Brandeis Department Store in Omaha where she was a model, and James was visiting his mother who was an employee. They were married on April 18, 1946 at Kounzte Memorial Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs.
Kay was a bold and accomplished businesswoman. Jim and Kay owned a pharmacy in Omaha and several pharmacies in Houston, Texas. Jim named his favorite pharmacy after her, “Kay Lewis Pharmacy.” Jim Lewis was the Pharmacist in Charge, and Kay was in charge of everything else!
Kay’s life was an example of service above self as she served as the President of the Sharpstown General Hospital Auxiliary. She was very actively involved with the Harris County Pharmaceutical Association where Jim served as President. Jim and Kay retired to Sun City Center, Florida where Kay served as the Grand High Priestess of the Ladies of the Oriental Shrine whose mission is to support the Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals. She loved her church families at St. Martin`s Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas where she served on a visitation team; and Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sun City Center, Florida, where she served as an usher.
Kay and Jim loved to travel by cruise ship and often invited their children and grandchildren to join them. They traveled the world on 23 cruises, and her favorite ports included Tokyo, Japan; Shanghai, China; Hong Kong, China; and St. Petersburg, Russia. She literally ballroom danced around the world.
When Kay was not cruising and dancing, she was working at the pharmacy where her pet parrot, Spunky, was a regular staff member and official greeter. He greeted everyone with a loud “Hello” and continued the conversation with all the customers.
Kay was preceded in death by her husband, James Harris Lewis her parents, Ralph and Lillian Gundram; and by her half-brother, Gary Juul, and her granddaughter-in-law, Kelly Pack Powell. She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl K Powell and husband A.T. from Salado, Texas, and her granddaughter Wendy K Powell, husband Todd and great grandson Charlie from Dallas, Texas; and her grandson Michael Scott Powell from Cedar Park, Texas.
Lastly the family would like to recognize and thank Ashely and all the people at Stoney Brook Assisted Living for their loving care and encouragement. Also, a very special thank you to the nurses and social workers from Bluebonnet Hospice.
A private Celebration of Life is planned at the Powell Home in Salado.