Dorothy M. Stewart

Dorothy M. Stewart, 96, of Davenport, passed away at her home on Thursday, December 8, 2016. A visitation for family and friends will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Davenport. Services will follow at 2:00 p.m. with a reception after. Burial will be at a later date in Davenport Memorial Park.

Dorothy was born on February 7, 1920, on a farm south of Cherokee, Iowa, to Frans and Anna (Peterson) Mortenson, Swedish immigrants. She was the fourth of six children. Dorothy attended Silver Township School No. 2 through 8th grade. She graduated from Cherokee High School and then spent one year helping her mother on the family farm before enrolling at Iowa State University. Dorothy graduated from Iowa State in 1942 with a B. S. in Dietetics. During World War II, Dorothy worked as a Registered Dietitian at King County Hospital in Seattle, Washington, and later at Edwards Sanatorium in Naperville, Illinois, and Garfield Park Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.

While a student at Iowa State University, Dorothy met architecture student Harold Stewart in Psychology 101. The two became engaged in December 1942, prior to Harold entering the military, and were married April 1, 1945. They moved to Davenport, Iowa, in 1946 following Harold’s graduation from Iowa State University. While Harold pursued his architectural career, Dorothy used her dietetic training to manage their household and raise five well-fed, well-loved children.

Dorothy was widowed in 1996, but until her passing, she continued to live in the house which she and Harold had built. Dorothy delighted in providing the favorite gathering place for her children and grandchildren. Over the years, Dorothy enjoyed participating in book club, American Association of University Women, church circle, and serving as a precinct election official. Supporting Iowa State University and the Cyclones was a constant as well.

Dorothy is survived by her five children, Frank (Ruth) Stewart of Moline, Illinois; Janet Stewart of Davenport, Iowa; Anne Stewart-Sanders (Jack Sanders) of Sac City, Iowa; Jeff (Lori) Stewart of Des Moines, Iowa; and Nancy Stewart (Dan Ruh) of Afton, Minnesota; ten grandchildren; four and a half great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Lorraine Mortenson and Gladys Mortenson of Cherokee, Iowa; and brother-in-law Bud Erlandson of Wakefield, Nebraska.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Harold Stewart, her brothers Everett, Walter, and Robert Mortenson, her sisters Mildred Mortenson and Frances Erlandson, Harold’s brothers James and Frank Stewart, and sister-in-law Thelma Stewart.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Foundation of St. John’s United Methodist Church or the charity of one’s choice. Online condolences can be left at www.rungemortuary.com.