Edna Stewart

EDNA STEWART MONTEVIEW, ID -- Edna L. Bielby Stewart, 77, of Monteview, Idaho, died April 3, 2008, at her home. She was born November 25, 1930, in Goodman, Missouri, to John William Bielby and Emma Mae Hurley Bielby. Her family moved to Salmon, Idaho, when she was four years old. She attended a one room school at Curtley Creek for six years, then graduated from Salmon High School at the age of 16. After Edna graduated from high school she was employed as a secretary for District Judge Thatcher. She worked for Judge Thatcher about two years then moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho. Edna was a secretary for Doug Hay at the PMA. She was employed in this position for about 8 years. She lived in a boarding house in Idaho Falls ran by her future mother-in-law and this is how she met her husband James (Jim) Stewart. During this time she became a member of the Catholic Church and she was baptized at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Edna and Jim were married October 9, 1954, at the St. Charles Catholic Church in Salmon, Idaho. They enjoyed two wedding receptions. One held at the Shady Nook in Salmon and the other at Blue Dome in the Birch Creek Valley. At the time Edna and Jim were married, Jim was stationed with the Army at the White Sands Proving Grounds so they moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. While in New Mexico, Edna worked as a secretary for the U.S. Army Department of Electronic Warfare. They made many good friends while living in New Mexico, Bob and Peggy Stetson, Red and Barbara Pollard, Ken Johnson and Glen Arnold. In 1955, Edna and Jim moved back to Monteview, Idaho where she worked along side her husband building their farm business, raising hay, grain and livestock. For 28 years, Edna and Jim lived in Lake Havasu, Arizona during the winter months. They also made many good friends there. Edna accomplished many things in her life. She was the mother of three children and three grandchildren all of whom she was very proud of. She was one of the first people to read and edit the manuscript of the timeless story "Where the Red Fern Grows". She was the secretary/bookkeeper for the Jefferson Canal Company for 30 years. Her work was instrumental in building the St. Ann Catholic Church in Mud Lake, Idaho. She belonged to the St. Ann's Altar Society, and the Pinecrest Women's Golf Association. She was an accomplished seamstress, gardener and cook. Some of her interests included bridge, golf, travel and reading the newspaper cover to cover. Survivors include her husband Jim Stewart, of Monteview, children, Curtis and Brenda Stewart of Idaho Falls, Diana and Jeffrey Thomason of Hailey, Karen and Roy Stoddart of Monteview; grandchildren, Jimmy and Chelsey Stoddart of Rigby, Bill Stoddart of Monteview, Bob and Lacey Stoddart of Monteview; great-grandchildren Cassidie, Sadie, and Cydnie; and brothers, Steve (Mike) Bielby of Salmon, Victor Bielby of Pocatello and Howard Bielby of Salmon. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Emma Bielby; her brothers, Grover Bielby, Cleve Bielby, Floyd Bielby; and an infant son, Bruce Allen Stewart. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 8, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 145 - 9th Street, Father Joseph McDonald officiating. Interment will be at the West Jefferson Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Mud Lake Senior Citizens Center. Thank you to the Aspen Home Health and Hospice for all their care and comfort with a special thanks to Vicki Shupe. ------------------------------------ Condolences received online: Terrall Hanson terrallh@katewwdb.com Jim and family, I have such fond memories of Edna. I will keep you all in prayers during this difficult time. Terrall Hanson Las Vegas, NV Bonnie Wood bonbo@aol.com Jim, Karen, Di, and Curt, My heart goes out to you all. You are in my prayers. Victor & Marcia Bielby bielvict@isu.edu Edna was such a great sister to us. We have enjoyed many bridge games together, and been to a lot of good places to eat, especially in Havasu. We loved her so much, and we love all of you. Vic & Marcia. Shirley Caudle shirleycaudle@aol.com Thinking of all their family at this may. May God be with you all. Kathy and Lani Schofield schobeez@gmail.com Jim and family, We are thinking of you at this difficult time. When more than one hear bear the weight of a sorrow, then all hearts shall find a way to peace. We love you and have you in our thoughts and prayers. Bonita Gneiting Richey We are sorry for your loss. Mothers are more precious than gold. May you find comfort in the memories of your wonderful mother. Greg and Bonita Richey Judy Mortimer judy@mortimer.myrf.net I'm thinking of all the lovely visits I had with your wife, mother and grandmother while volunteering for Aspen Hospice last summer and fall. I'll think of her when I turn on the Food Channel as she so much loved those shows. She taught me how to venture into cooking crab legs! She inspired me to come home and joyfully relish the preparation of something new and delicious. She was courageous and accepting of what was to come; a women of deep faith. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Sincerely, Judy Mortimer Rick and Karen Potter rkjj@moscow.com I can't remember ever seeing Edna without that tremendous smile. So sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that you have our prayers and sympathies. Rick and Karen Potter, Moscow, Idaho