Lewis Lebakken, Jr., went to his Lord on Tuesday Nov. 25, 2014, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.
He was born June 16, 1941, to Lewis and Agnes (Moen) Lebakken of Galesville, Wis. He was baptized and confirmed at French Creek Lutheran Church near at Ettrick, Wis. Lewis attended local schools and graduated from Galesville High School in 1959.
In high school, he played trombone in the band, was an excellent student, and was chosen for the National Honor Society. He was also on a meat-judging team that received national honors and earned him a partial scholarship to the College of Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin in Madison where he majored in Meat and Animal Science.
In 1961, he met Charlene Olson on a blind date and they were married Sept. 2, 1962. Char worked as an RN at the Methodist Hospital in Madison until Lewis graduated and obtained a job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a meat grader and specialist.
The government job and promotions took them to Seattle, Wash., Albert Lea, Minn., La Habra, Calif., Cleveland, Ohio, and Washington D.C., where he worked until his retirement in 1996, the last five years working with the FAA as a regulations writer and analyst.
While living in Virginia and commuting to D.C. everyday, Lewis and Char became active in Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir, played guitar, served on several committees, and was a lay leader. The last few years there he took post-graduate courses in Christian counseling, lay speaking, and lay ministry.
He also was a Boy Scout Leader and was a good influence on many young men. When in Seattle (1966), he was about to be drafted into the U.S. Army and opted instead to join the U.S. Marine Corps. He was sent to Quantico, Virginia, for Officers Candidate School.
A long-standing back problem returned and he was honorably discharged after 6 weeks of physical training. He was justifiably proud of his short military service and was respected for being willing to serve his country. Lewis retired in 1996 and he and Char moved to Greenville, Wis.
After working in retail, he answered a lifelong call to the ministry and was accepted by the United Methodist Wisconsin Conference as a local pastor. For training, he attended intensive seminary studies for two weeks every year in St. Louis, Missouri, enabling him to serve churches at Center Emmanuel near Black Creek, Wis., and Angelica United Methodist Church near Pulaski, Wis.
Lewis served these two churches for four years until he and Char moved to La Crosse to be near their grandchildren. He was then appointed to Stoddard United Methodist Church, where he served for four years until he retired. He and Char then attended Asbury United Methodist Church (now Faith United Methodist Church) in La Crosse, where he stayed active in choir and was chairman of the Administrative Council.
Lewis also served as a supply pastor for churches in the area including Baptist, Lutheran, and United Methodist churches. It was his nature to continue his ministry in a lay capacity through visitations and by showing his obvious faith and a caring and compassionate life.
His favorite bible verse was Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven”. That verse defined his life and influenced more people to love the Lord than we will ever know.
Lewis is survived by Char, his beloved wife of 52 years; a son, Brad (Linda) of West Salem and their sons, Trygve and Nels; a daughter, Laura. He is at rest in the arms of his Savior.
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Icy Conditions Possible Wednesday Night – A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Prince William County from 9 p.m. Wednesday to Noon Thursday, with freezing rain and sleet expected. VDOT crews are treating roads, but travel may be hazardous. Limit travel, prepare for icy spots, and stay updated on changing conditions.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted Tuesday to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass Project, ending years of planning and millions of dollars in studies and design work. The decision, which passed with a 5-3 vote, came after a contentious debate over the feasibility and cost of the project.
Initially estimated to cost more than $200 million, the road would have connected with Route 28 at a signalized intersection north of Bull Run Stream in Fairfax County. The plan to build the road, Alternative 2B, was the top recommendation from the 2017 Route 28 Corridor Feasibility Study. The project had received $89 million in funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) as part of a broader effort to improve the county’s transportation infrastructure.
County transportation director Rick Canizales confirmed that the estimated cost had grown beyond available funding, requiring an additional $80–$100 million to proceed. “After taking all this into consideration and doing all the design work that we’ve done at this point, we come to the board and let you know that as staff, we believe that alternative 2B is not viable because we don’t have enough money and we don’t have enough support in some of the challenges we’re facing,” Canizales said.
For the first time, Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis Younger sat down for an exclusive interview with Potomac Local News as she begins her second term. In a candid conversation, she addressed the city’s stance on immigration enforcement, the future of development in downtown Manassas, the impact of potential state and federal funding cuts, and her vision for the next four years.
What’s next for Manassas? Will taxes go up? How will the city navigate potential financial challenges? And what’s her take on the now-canceled Route 28 Bypass project?
Get the full story in tomorrow’s edition—only on Potomac Local News. Stay tuned!
The Northern Virginia real estate market is shifting, with demand growing in Prince William, Stafford, Manassas, and Fredericksburg, outpacing Fairfax County. Mark Worrilow, a real estate expert with Fathom Realty, attributes this to affordability, improved commuting options, and enhanced quality of life. Homebuyers find better value in these areas without sacrificing convenience. Inventory is rising, offering more options for buyers, though competition remains strong. Interest rates have stabilized, leading more buyers to enter the market. Worrilow emphasizes the importance of working with an experienced realtor to navigate these trends and make informed real estate decisions in this evolving market.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
