Lucille A Saewert

Lucille Anne Saewert (Lewis) was born July 24, 1944 in Brampton, ND to Kenneth Lewis and Kathryn Griffin. She grew up on a farm outside Cogswell, ND with her brothers, sisters, and much interaction with her Gramma Griffin, Sally (aunt), Pat (uncle) and Patty (cousin).

The true story of Lucy can be found in her deep faith in God and the love she felt and created in her family. She had an infectious joy towards everyone around her.

Lucy was a shining example of God’s grace and love to anyone who knew her. She was a true example that anything can be accomplished if you are willing to work hard for it. She was lovingly referred to as our Energizer Bunny because she did not stop to rest, especially if she had visitors, or someone who needed help.

Lucy shared her life with people in many places around America and had a gift for being joyful and creating loving connections with people everywhere she went. Whether through family, church, work, or community, Lucy gave 100% of herself to those around her.

As a young teenager Lucy moved into ‘town’ with the Claude (Butch) and Madelyn Christianson family of Cogswell, ND and later of Moorhead, MN. Although never adopted, she developed a deep love for the Christianson family, with her own children later referring to them as Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles.

Graduating from High School in 1962, Lucy then attended college with her best friend Bonnie Saewert (Mallberg) at the ND State School of Science for secretarial studies. After a year of instruction, she began work as a secretary at the college.

Lucy married Gary Saewert, her best friend’s brother, in 1963 and has been married to him ever since. During their first 7 years of marriage, Gary and Lucy moved throughout the Midwest nearly 30 times following contract work opportunities. Their first child Kirk was born in 1967 in MO, their second child, Kyla was adopted in 1970 in WI, and their third child Chad was born in 1971 in MI.

In 1972, having grown tired of being on the move constantly, they bought their first house and ‘settled down’ in Pickwick, MN where they stayed until 1977. During this time, Lucy graduated from Cosmetology College and began working as a hairdresser while also decorating wedding cakes, providing childcare, and playing piano at the Baptist Church.

Their next stop was a small hobby farm in Pleasant Valley Winona, MN where they raised livestock and crops. In 1985, after their oldest son graduated from High School, Lucy and Gary moved to Littleton, CO. In CO, Lucy worked as a beautician, nail technician, and product trainer. She opened her own beauty salon named “I Love Lucy’s”, which she ran successfully for over 20 years.

After Gary retired from Lockheed Martin in 1997, they hit the road again, becoming full time RV’ers for several years while Gary again worked contract jobs around the country in AZ, NM, ID, and CO. Gary and Lucy settled down again to a degree in 2009, alternating between Buena Vista, CO and Tucson, AZ. During this time, they were caring for Gary’s parents, Orv and Marcie Saewert.

At 72, Lucy started a food truck business named “Grama’s Goodies”. She and Gary operated that for three summers in tandem with their son Kirk’s BBQ trailer. She really loved the opportunity it provided to serve others, meet and talk to new people, and sell all of the goodies she liked to make.

In 2020, Lucy and Gary moved to Columbus, IN with Kirk’s family, where she has since been enjoying gardening and spending time with family.

Lucy was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Kathryn; brothers Rodney Lewis, Ken Lewis, James Lewis, and sister Sandra Schultz. Claude (Butch) and Madelyn Christianson, who were loved as parents.

Lucy is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Gary Saewert; her children Kirk (Brenda) of Columbus, IN; Kyla Martinez of Rio Rancho, NM; Chad (Alecia) of Highlands Ranch, CO; 9 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; her siblings Kay (Bud) Bjorke of Roseville, MN and Jackie (Kent) Lamb of St Paul, MN; Janet Lewis; Sheila Lewis; Clark (Diane) Christianson; Craig (Sandy) Christianson; Clint (Sally) Christianson; and Connie (Rodney) Pearson.