Rilla Strange Stewart

Rilla M. Strange Stewart, age 91, of Dubuque, Iowa and formerly of Dundee, 2Iowa and the Springville and the Mt. Vernon vicinity died on November 21, 2013 at Dubuque Nursing and Rehab in Dubuque. Family will be available to greet people on Friday, November 29, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, 304 1st St. SW, Mt. Vernon, IA. Services will follow at 11:00 a.m. led by the Rev. Bill Daylong and the Rev. Alecia Williams. Burial will be in the Linn Grove Cemetery near Martelle. Arrangements are being handled by Morgan Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Mount Vernon. Rilla May Strange was born on April 26, 1922 near Arlington, Kansas 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 four, she learned to read and remained a voracious reader all her life. In 1939, she graduated from high school in Montour, Iowa and continued her education at Iowa State Teacher's College for two years. Her first teaching position was in Viola, Iowa where she met her future husband, Glenn Stewart. They were married on June 13, 1943 by her father in Winthrop, Iowa. 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, Iowa 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 life long 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 of rural Mt. Vernon, and was an active participant at Grace United Methodist Church in Lamont, Iowa, 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,IL, her son Michael Stewart and his wife, Karen of Martelle, IA. 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, IL, Hayley Beehn and her husband, Michael of Arrington, TN, Jonathan Stewart and his wife Erin Sikorsky-Stewart of Washington, D.C., Matthew Stewart and his wife Teresa of Martelle, IA, Kristin Stewart and her fianc��, Michael Livingston of Astoria, NY, Andrew Stewart and his wife Rebekah of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Thomas Stewart and his wife Taylor of Baltimore, MD. Also surviving are five great-grandchildren, Emily & Madeline Beehn, Jacob Stewart, Elise Stewart and Margaret Sikorsky-Stewart. She was also survived by 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.