Ruth (McMahon) Stewart

Ruth Stewart, 85, of Newton died on Saturday, April 3, 2021, at Nelson Manor. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 9, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The family will greet friends with a luncheon immediately following the service at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorials in Ruth’s name (checks made payable to Kathy Stewart) may be left at the church or the funeral home.

Ruth, the daughter of Claude and Catherine (Fleiter) McMahon, was born on November 30, 1935 in Newton. She attended Newton schools and graduated from the Catholic High School in Ottumwa. On May 30, 1958, Ruth was united in marriage with Dennis Stewart in Newton. As a young mother to five, Ruth worked as an operator for the United Telephone Company. She later became a homemaker.  After the kids were older, Ruth worked for Party Time Pizza.  As a family, Ruth, Dennis, and the kids enjoyed roller skating, bowling, going camping, and fishing. Ruth was an active member at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she volunteered at many church luncheons. She also was a member of the Women’s Bowling Association. Ruth loved gardening, canning, and was a great cook. She and Dennis also enjoyed wintering in Mission, Texas for many years. 

Ruth is survived by her children, Margaret (Richard) Mortenson of Grinnell, Mark Stewart of Guthrie Center, Chris (Carol) Stewart of Knoxville, Tim Stewart of Newton, and Kathy Stewart (Pat O’Hara) of Kellogg; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and one on the way; her sister-in-law, Maxine McMahon of Newton; brother-in-law, Donnell Deane Wilson of Newton; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dennis; brother, James McMahon; sister, Carol Wilson; and two daughters-in-law, Patty Stewart and Candy Stewart. 

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