Laura Stewart

Laura Ethel Stewart, 95, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 9th, 2010 at the Harry Hynes Hospice Section of St. Francis Hospital in Wichita.
She was born on Thursday, June 10, 1915 at her parent’s home in Lawrenceville, Illinois, the daughter of Richard John Kneidl and Laura Ethel Price Kneidl. She then spent her childhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma and graduated from Tulsa High School in 1932. Laura received a degree in Ancient Languages and graduated magna cum laude from Sterling College in 1936. While in college, Laura won the national championship in extempore speaking at the national Pi Kappa Delta forensics tournament at Lexington, Kentucky. Following graduation, Laura taught Latin and English in Alma, Kansas for one year before marrying her college sweetheart, Ritchey Stewart, on June 10, 1937. They lived and farmed in the Zenith area and celebrated 69 anniversaries together before he died on November 12, 2006. To this union, two children were adopted, a son, Darrel Wayne, born on November 3, 1944, and a daughter, Marilyn Joan, born on December 28, 1950.
Laura was a homemaker and an active member of the United Presbyterian Church all her life. Though she didn’t continue a career as a public school teacher, her community activities exercised her teaching and leadership skills. She used her gift of teaching and her love of God’s Word to direct Vacation Bible School, teach Sunday School, and lead Bible Studies for all ages. She was an elder in the church and held leadership positions in the Women’s Presbyterial and Synodical organizations of the church at local, state, and national levels.
She served her alma mater, Sterling College, as president of the Alumni Association, and was elected to the Board of Trustees where she served faithfully for many years. She received the Distinguished Service Award, the highest alumni award offered by Sterling College, in 1993.
Laura was a long-time member of the Stafford Drama Guild, participating in their productions as an actress, director, and a part of the stage crew. In addition, she frequently presented programs, book reviews, and workshops.
She was a member of Y.W.C.A., the BK Chapter of P.E.O. and the Women’s Missionary Society.
Survivors include: a son, Darrel, and his wife Sue, Newton; a daughter, Marilyn White and her husband, Hal, Kingsdown; one brother, Richard, and his wife, Mary, Nampa, Idaho; four grandchildren, Michael Stewart and his wife, Elaine, Smithville, Mo.; Aaron White and his wife, Sarah, Norton; Caleb White and his wife, Megan, Colorado Springs, Co., and Alicia Garrison and her husband, James, Tulsa, Ok.: and four great-grandchildren, Kristen and Jacob Stewart, Gideon White, and Andrew White.
She was preceded in death by her parents, R.J. and Ethel Kneidl; one sister, Ruth Marie Hart, and a great-grandson, Rory Shane Stewart.
A memorial service will be held at the Minnis Chapel in Stafford on Monday, September 13, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at the Stafford Cemetery following the service. Family will receive friends Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Chapel.
Memorials may be sent to Sterling College or the Harry Hynes Hospice in care of Minnis Chapel, Stafford.