She was born Jan. 15, 1924, in rural Minonk, a daughter of James and Bernice Bridge Baxter. She married Gilbert H. Thies on Nov. 22, 1941, in Toluca. He passed away Feb. 23, 2005.

Survivors include two daughters, Lori (Jeff) Bunn, Golden, Colo., and Kim (Pat) Manning, Minonk; three brothers, Gerald (Betty) Baxter, Hot Springs, Ark.; Errol (Doris) Baxter, Aurora; and Jim (Noreen) Baxter, North Carolina; two sisters, Nelle (Bob) Shearl, Franklin, and Camilla Slown, Pontiac; five grandchildren, Bill Bunn, Bob Bunn and Matthew Bunn, all of Golden, Colo.; and Cassie (Shawn) Modro, Minonk; and Shaun Manning, Bloomington; and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a brother, Clinton Baxter; and her daughter, Diane Thies.

Jewell was a homemaker in Minonk. She was an extraordinary mother, grandmother and sister who thoroughly adored spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Minonk where her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday. The Rev. Craig Swenson will officiate. Inturnment will be in Dana Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Minonk is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church or OSF Saint James-John W. Albrecht Hospice. Online condolences may be sent to her family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com .