NEW HAMPTON — Randall Rex Lewis, a New Hampton man whose life was marked by faith, family, steady work and an easy gift for making people laugh, died suddenly on Friday, June 5, 2026. He was 69.
A memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall in New Hampton.
Born October 11, 1956, in Waterloo to Rex and Lois Lewis, Randall grew up with roots in northeast Iowa and later attended Waterloo East High School. He went on to earn an associate degree and built a career that reflected both discipline and service. He became a certified paralegal and worked in several banks, where he was known as dependable, thoughtful and willing to help.
Randall also served as a para-educator at school, a role that allowed him to use his patience and steady presence to support students and staff. Those who knew him described a man who gave his time generously, often without looking for attention or praise.
His life changed when he met Naomi Gronbach, who was from nearby Charles City. The two married in Charles City on June 5, 1976, beginning a partnership that lasted exactly 50 years. Together, Randall and Naomi lived in several communities before settling into family life, raising their children and building a home rooted in loyalty, love and shared purpose.
Randall’s faith was central to who he was. He was deeply involved in his congregation and in the broader community, where people came to know him as someone who could be counted on. His service was often quiet but meaningful — the kind shown through presence, reliability and everyday kindness.
He also had a bright, playful side. Randall loved to joke, had a quick wit and brought warmth into the rooms he entered. He followed sports with enthusiasm, especially the Los Angeles Lakers and the Texas Longhorns. He was also famously fond of spicy food, with family members joking that he liked hot sauce so much he might put it on almost anything.
Randall found peace and pride in his garden, where he tended what he grew with care and patience. Some of his family’s most cherished memories came from simple moments, including giving his granddaughter rides on the lawn mower.
He is survived by his wife, Naomi Lewis of New Hampton; sons Nathaniel Lewis and his wife Jennifer of Omaha, Nebraska, and Matthew Lewis and his wife Dawn of Pella; daughter Angela Rathjen of New Hampton; sisters Linda DeVore and her husband Jerry of Waterloo, and Peggy Gienau and her husband Jeff of Waterloo; grandchildren Nakia, Kodie, Londyn, Blaze and Jemma; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rex and Lois Lewis, and his sister, Sandra Claus.
Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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