Springfield Colorado

 

Jewell May (Harlan) Stewart 1904-2009

Jewell May (Harlan) Stewart, 104, died April 14, 2009, at Morton County Care Center, Elkhart, Kansas. She was born December 5, 1904, in Purdy, Missouri, the oldest child of Frank James and Rosa Ella (Phipps) Harlan.

Jewell lived in Missouri until the spring of 1915, when she moved by covered wagon with her parents, sister Dorothy, and brother Olan to a homestead in Baca County Colorado.

She attended Eureka Country School, graduating from the 8th grade in May 1920. The next fall she left home to attend high school in Elkhart. Classes were held in four cottages that are now known as the school houses on Elkhart Avenue. While earning her diploma, she also worked for several families for room and board. She met her future husband, Ed Stewart, a few months before graduating with Elkhart’s first senior class in 1924.

On October 30, 1926, Ed and Jewell were married in Guymon, Oklahoma. Two children were born to this union, Wallace Wayne in 1929 and Willena Wray in 1934.

Besides raising her family and being a homemaker, Jewell worked at Elkhart’s Tucker Hansen Hospital from 1924 to 1929, first in the kitchen and then as a nurse. In 1945, she returned to work at the hospital and later worked 16 years in Dr. Buckmaster’s Clinic, until she retired in 1971.

As a young woman, Jewell accepted Christ as her Savior. Her faithfulness to this decision was a testimony to many.
Jewell was preceded in death, by her parents; husband, Ed of 63 years; son, Wallace Stewart; brother, Russell Harlan, and sister, Dorothy Doner.

Survivors include her daughter Willena and husband James Boaldin, Elkhart; daughter-in-law, Barbara Stewart, Casper, Wyoming; sister, Fay Brooks; brother, Leon Harlan and wife Virgil, all of Walsh, Colorado; brother, Olan Harlan, Hailey, Idaho.

Seven grandchildren survive: Sheryl Boaldin Wagner and husband Kenny, Garden City, Kansas; Janet Boaldin DeWeese and husband Ron, Clearwater, Kansas; Joan Boaldin McMillan and husband Bill, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Kent Boaldin and wife Diana, Elkhart; Julie Stewart Sharif and husband Reza; Gail Stewart Hilderbrand and husband Doug all of Seattle, Washington; Dena Stewart Maturin, and husband Joseph, Miami Florida.

She is survived by 14 great grandchildren: Sarra Sharif, Cameron Sharif, Corey Maturin, David Maturin, Mark McMillan, Elaine DeWeese Mullens and husband Chad, Katie McMillan Downs and husband Jeremy, Stuart Wagner and wife Erin, Lisa Wagner, Sheri McMillan, Lee DeWeese, Stephanie Boaldin, Rene` Boaldin and Kurt Boaldin (born on Jewell’s 90th birthday).

She is also survived by 5 great-great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was held 11:00 a.m. Saturday April 18, 2009 at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel, Elkhart, Kansas with Ministers Terrell Giddens and Ronald Thomke officiating. Burial followed at Elkhart Cemetery, Elkhart, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to the Morton County Historical Museum or Morton County Care Center both in care of Garnand Funeral Home, P.O. Box 854, Elkhart, Kansas 67950.