Margaret E. Steward

Margaret Ellen (Unkrur) Steward was born on October 12, 1927 on the family farm south of Cleghorn, Iowa in Rock Township to Frank and Lucy Weber Unkrur.   She was baptized in the Catholic faith at Maryhill where she received her first eight years of schooling.  She then attended IC School in Cherokee, IA and graduated in 1945.  While in high school and after graduation, Margaret worked at JCPenneys in Cherokee, IA. 

 Margaret was married to Lloyd Steward on August 16, 1946 in Cherokee, IA.  They were the owners and operators of Steward Grain and Livestock Trucking that they operated until 1991 when Lloyd’s health declined.  Lloyd passed away in August 1995.  They were parents of nine children.

In 1961, Margaret started to work the night shift at the Sioux Valley Hospital mostly in the OB department.  She enjoyed this job and worked until she retired in 2004. 

In her spare time, Margaret enjoyed knitting, crocheting, embroidery and serving others.  Her children had a lot of their clothes made by their mom.  All of her grandchildren received a large afghan made by her.  After she retired, she made over 150 afghans and lap robes for the veterans and people in nursing homes.   You could find good baked goods at her house.  The grandchildren can tell you that they always liked her popcorn.  She enjoyed traveling on bus trips to both coasts.  She took a trip to Germany with her daughter and son.  She visited the place her father was born and his parents were married. 

 Margaret was a member of Cherokee IC Church, lifetime member of VFW Auxiliary and Quimby American Legion.  She served in the Antique Tractor Clubs. 

In 2000, while at work, Margaret was introduced to Eugene “Pee Wee” Ferris and they enjoyed many years fixing antique John Deere tractors and tractor rides in the Black Hills, Wisconsin and Iowa.  She even had her own tractor to ride in parades.

Margaret passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at Accura Healthcare in Cherokee, IA.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son, Mike, in the Army stationed in Germany in 1969, a daughter, Marilyn in 2019, a grandson Rodney Robinson in 2019, a brother Theodore Unkrur and her companion, Eugene “Pee Wee” Ferris in 2022. 

 She will be missed by her caretakers and their families, Kenneth and Donna Steward, Gerri and Mike Robinson and Larry Steward.    She is also survived by Susan Chase, Meriden, IA, Marc Steward and Maynard Steward of Cherokee, Danny and Barb Steward of Cleghorn, a brother Leo of Marcus, a sister, Mary (Les) Peck of Nampa, Idaho, 23 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and 7 great great-grandchildren.  

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