Iola J. Lewis, 94, of Belvidere, died Tuesday, March 1, 2011 in Northwoods Care Center. She was born June 16, 1916 in Belvidere, Illinois; the daughter of James and Retta (Ferdon) Hayes. Iola was married to Leslie W. Lewis in Marengo, Illinois on September 27, 1933. She worked as a cook for Washington Grade School, Highland Hospital and owned her own restaurant "The Little Horseshoe". Iola was an active member of First Presbyterian Church where she served as a Deaconess. She was also a member of DORCAS and the Spares and Pairs group of the church. Iola is survived by her daughter, Patricia Nelson, Garden Prairie, Illinois; a son, James (Linda) Lewis, Arvada, Colorado; six grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and twelve great-great grandchildren; and a twin sister, Iona "Scoop" Narestad, Belvidere, Illinois. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, her son, Larry; a sister, Dorothy Sellers and a brother, James Hayes.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church or O.S.F. Hospice.