Lewis Edward Ake

Lewis Edward Ake, 94, of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, passed away on November 6, 2025. Lew was born in Chicago on June 26, 1931, to the late Edward and Helen Ake. Lew graduated from Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, Illinois, in 1949. Lew enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served from 1950 to 1953 during the Korean War.

While serving in the Marines, Lew started exchanging letters with the sister of one of his fellow Marines. These letters lead to a life-long love affair and partnership, one that lasted over 60 years of marriage and ended with the passing of Patricia Ann (Hust) on October 12, 2015.

The loss of Pat was devastating for Lew, but while working through his grief, he found many new friends who helped each other cope with their losses.

After Lew’s Marine discharge, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh to romance Pat. They were married on June 11, 1955, and Lew finished his degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1957.

Lew and Pat along with their first son Tom, moved to Neenah, Wisconsin, in 1957 where Lew started his 35-year career with Kimberly Clark Corporation. Lew finished his KC career in Roswell, Georgia, in 1991. In 1992 Pat and Lew built their retirement home in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Lew was very active in retirement, teaching computer skills to seniors, volunteering for years along with Pat at St. Joseph’s Regional Health Center, and serving as a proud member of the Military Honor Guard. Lew loved golf, HORSE basketball, and was an accomplished wood carver. Pat and Lew loved to travel, taking numerous trips to exotic locations, culminating with the celebration of their 60 years of marriage on a South Pacific Cruise.

Lew is preceded in death by the love of his life, Pat, his sister and brother-in-law, Jolene and Marvin “Tex” Cook, and brother and sister-in-law Henry “Hank” and MaryAnn Hust.

Lew and Pat are survived by their sons and their families; Thomas E. Ake and his wife Susan, along with their three daughters, Elizabeth (Michael) Enright, Katherine (Matt) Laszkiewicz, and their son William, Natalie and fiancé, Greg Baker; Timothy J. Ake and his wife Sandy and their two daughters, Stephanie (Joe) Proulx and their four children, Brody, Mila, Braxton, and Brayden, Sarah (Dave) Foley and their two children, Maverick and Vivienne; Todd M. Ake and his wife Jodi and their three children, Zachary (Jessica) their four children, Meaya, Jaxson, Grayson, and Edison, Ethan (Ashley) and their two children, Andrew and Aubrey, Kaela (Johnathan) Martisek, and their three children, Brantley, Emersyn, and Scarlett. Lew is also survived by many close friends and neighbors.

The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 21st at 11:00am at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Committal to follow at Cedar Vale Cemetery. For online condolences/guestbook, please visit: https://www.cedarvalefuneralhome.com/