Carl Andrew Steward's Obituary
Carl A. Steward
Carl A. Steward, 91, of Cedar Vale, Kansas died September 4, 2007 at William Newton Memorial Hospital in Winfield, Kansas.
Carl was born on farm northwest of Cedar Vale to Rush E. and Nellie (Kennedy) Steward on June 5, 1916. He attended country school until 8th grade and graduated from Cedar Vale High School in 1934.
He married his high school sweetheart, Nola West, on October 14, 1938 in Howard, Kansas. After sixteen years of married life, they were blessed with two children, Byron and Beth.
Carl was the manager of the Cedar Vale CO-OP Exchange prior to being inducted into military service on November 16, 1942. He served in the army during World War II, in the European Theater of Operations and was discharged on December 2, 1945 as a First Sergeant. He received the WWII Victory Ribbon, EAWE Theater Ribbon and Silver Service Star.
Returning after the war, Carl was the manager of the newly formed Caney Valley Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. for the next 29 years, retiring in 1974 to devote full time to ranching, including the home place where he was born and raised and his folks lived all their married lives. Carl loved the land and was most at home working cattle, riding his horse, and maintaining the land God entrusted to him. For 69 years, his main helper was Nola and they could be seen riding their horses as they worked the ranch and participating in many Labor Day parades.
Carl loved Cedar Vale and donated countless hours to many civic activities. He was a member of the Cedar Vale United Methodist Church, Cedar Vale Lion’s Club, Masonic Lodge #355 and a past member of the Labor Day Association, Chamber of Commerce, Cedar Vale Development Association, Big Caney Watershed District Board, and Cedar Vale Rural Fire District Board. Carl was also a member of the Cedar Vale American Legion Post #201 and carried the American flag at the Memorial Day Services every year until his health started failing and he then became a resident of the Dexter Care Center.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Staff Sergeant Fay Steward who was killed in Italy during World War II on May 13, 1944. He is survived by his devoted wife, Nola of the home; his two children and their spouses: Byron and Joyce Steward of Kingman, AZ and Beth and Don Land of Cedar Vale, KS; his sister Marie Scott of Sedan, KS; three grandchildren; Shane Land and his wife Kady of Plain, WA, Jeremy Land and Katie Land both of Joplin, MO; his niece Jolene Sartin; three great nephews who were like grandchildren to him and their families Doug, Jerrol, and Weston Sanders, and a host of other friends and relatives.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, September 8, 2007 at the Cedar Vale United Methodist Church with Pastor Jerry Bever and Shane Land, Carl’s grandson officiating. Visitation will be held Friday from 7 to 9 PM at the church. Burial will be in Cedar Creek Cemetery. Family suggests contributions to either the Alzheimer’s Association or the Cedar Vale United Methodist Church and may be sent to the Countryside Funeral Home, PO Box 247, Fredonia, KS 66736. Arrangements are under the direction of Zimmerman Funeral Home, Howard, Kansas. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com
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