Sheila Stewart, 85, passed away on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at Via Christi Village, Hays, KS.
She was born August 9, 1933 in Willingham by Stow, Lincolnshire, England, the daughter of Charles C. and Dorothy May (Rowley) Stothard. On October 15, 1955 she married Harlin Stewart in Lincoln, KS.
As a child Sheila grew up in Kexby Grange, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire England. Her family had a dairy and she recalled memories of children from London being sent to stay with them during World War II. She lived for a time in Bushey, North Watford, Herts, England and Morton, N. Gainsborough. She attended Upton - cum Kexby School, Gainsborough Girls High school where she participated in many sports with field hockey being her favorite. Sheila took some college courses in Bushey and worked as a draftsperson. She enjoyed attending Willingham Church, Upton Church and Morton Church.
Sheila met Harlin Stewart while he was stationed in England during his duty with the Air Force. As a young woman, she came over on the ship RMS Mauretania, into New York harbor where Harlin met her to whisk her back to Kansas. Harlin and Sheila started their marriage in Lincoln, KS; then they moved to Mankato for a short period of time and then back to Lincoln County. In 1960, they moved to Harlan and eventually moved to Smith Center.
Sheila had many hobbies throughout her life. She was passionate about attending her children’s sporting events and activities. She enjoyed gardening; and canning the fruits of her labor, to feed her family during the winter months. Sheila participated as a Sunday School teacher; and a 4-H Leader during her children’s lives. She taught many girls to sew. During her later life, she knitted over 70 afghans for her family and friends. Sheila worked for many years for the Smith Center U.S.D. 237 in food service and as a custodian. She also worked for the People’s Bank.
Sheila relied on her faith during her life and for many years attended the Harlan Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Harlin.
Sheila is survived by a daughter, Glenda (Marc) Wentworth of Edwards, CO; five sons, Steve Stewart of Smith Center, Kim (Jeri) Stewart of Hays, KS, Kyle (Julie) Stewart of Grand Island, NE, David Stewart (Cindy Beckman) of Smith Center, KS, Eric (Chris) Stewart of Cimarron, KS; three sisters, Brenda Goh of Sitiawan, Perak, Malaysia, Patricia Wood of Sumter, SC and Ann Watkins of McPherson, KS.
Sheila is loved and will be greatly missed by her thirteen grand children: Geoffrey and Andrea Stewart, Kellie Doxey, Jace and Kale Stewart, Rebekah Wentworth, Sarah Wierenga, Joshua Bonifas, Jesse Stewart, Blake and Triston Stewart, Jake and Olivia Stewart. Eight great grandchildren: Nikki Ellenberger, Rosie Doxey, Devan and Griffin Stewart, Arya, Phedre and Azrael Stumpff, Jeremiah Stewart. She is also survived by Sisters-in-Law, Ellen Stewart, McCool Junction, NE, Jo Stewart, Buhler, KS, Brothers-in-Law Donald Stewart, Houston, TX and Thayne Stewart and wife, Edith of Norfolk, NE plus many nieces and nephews and wonderful friends.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center, KS. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday, February 25, 2019 with family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Graveside services will take place in the Round Springs Cemetery, Hunter, KS at 2:30 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Harlan Church and sent in care of the funeral chapel.