Stewart, Rilla M. Strange

Rilla M. Strange Stewart, 91, of Dubuque, formerly of Dundee and the Springville and Mount Vernon vicinity, died Nov. 21, 2013, at Dubuque Nursing and Rehab in Dubuque. Family will be available to greet people on Friday, Nov. 29, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church at 304 First St. West, Mount Vernon. Services will follow at 11 a.m., led by the Rev. Bill Daylong and the Rev. Alecia Williams. Burial will be in Linn Grove Cemetery near Martelle. Arrangements are being handled by Morgan Funeral and Cremation Choices, Mount Vernon.

Rilla May Strange was born April 26, 1922, near Arlington, Kan., to the Rev. Francis M. and Mildred Meeker Strange. A sister, Dorothy, died before her birth and Rilla was raised as an only child. Due to her father's change of parishes, the family lived in several locations in Kansas, Iowa and Illinois. She frequently accompanied her father on pastoral calls, which may have contributed to her keen interest in people. At age 4, she learned to read and remained a voracious reader all her life.

In 1939, she graduated from high school in Montour and continued her education at Iowa State Teachers College for two years. Her first teaching position was in Viola, Iowa, where she met her future husband, Glenn Stewart. They were married June 13, 1943, by her father in Winthrop. They had three children, Mary Carol, Michael “Mike” and James “Jim.” In addition, Rilla and Glenn helped raise several foster children. Their livelihood was farming, first on the Stewart family farm near Martelle and then on other farms near Springville. They moved to their farm near Dundee in 1960.

Rilla returned to teaching in 1962 and taught first and second grade for 22 years in the West Delaware Community School District. Many children learned to read under her tutelage. While teaching, Rilla completed her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Upper Iowa University. After retiring Rilla volunteered in the school, working one-on-one with many students.

Rilla treasured her family and gave unconditional love and support to them and was adored by her grandchildren. Her gracious hospitality was legendary and her home was always open to visitors.

She and Glenn enjoyed travel, collecting antiques and woodworking. Never idle, she cooked and baked to the delight of those gathered around her table, ending meals with her signature apple pie. She hosted tea parties, helped anyone in need, nurtured children, volunteered at hospice, organized and led book studies, grew beautiful flowers, made quilts, fed the birds and comforted friends in distress over a cup of tea.

As a lifelong learner, she pursued knowledge about many subjects, including theology and genealogy. She touched many people with her nonjudgemental, unconditional love and this is the legacy she leaves.

She was a member of Linn Grove Presbyterian Church, rural Mount Vernon, and was an active participant at Grace United Methodist Church in Lamont, where she sometimes acted as a lay speaker.

In addition to her parents and sister, Dorothy, Rilla was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Glenn; her granddaughter, Jennifer Purdy; her son-in-law, James Purdy; her great-grandson, William Stewart; and her brother- and sister-in-law, Anita and Delbert Stewart.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Purdy of Galena, Ill.; her son, Michael Stewart and his wife, Karen, of Martelle; and her son, the Rev. James L. Stewart and his wife, Sharlyn, of Danville, Ky. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Christopher Purdy of Chicago, Hayley Beehn and her husband, Michael, of Arrington, Tenn., Jonathan Stewart and his wife, Erin Sikorsky-Stewart, of Washington, D.C., Matthew Stewart and his wife, Teresa, of Martelle, Kristin Stewart and her fiancé, Michael Livingston, of Astoria, N.Y., Andrew Stewart and his wife, Rebekah, of Cedar Rapids, and Thomas Stewart and his wife, Taylor, of Baltimore, Md.; five great-grandchildren, Emily and Madeline Beehn, Jacob Stewart, Elise Stewart and Margaret Sikorsky-Stewart; and her niece, Kathy Stewart Kinzenbaw. Rilla served as a surrogate grandmother to many children. Delbert “Flick” Flickinger has been a faithful friend and companion.

The family requests no flowers.

A memorial fund will be established but any act of compassion or hospitality would be a fitting tribute to her life.

Online condolences may be left at www.morganfuneralchoices.com.

Published Nov. 27, 2013 in The Gazette