BETTY L. STEWART, 85, of rural Larrabee, Iowa, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, March 21, 2017 surrounded by her family in the Cherokee Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 25th, at 11 a.m. at the Memorial Presbyterian Church in Cherokee, Iowa. Rev. Eric Wright will officiate. Burial will be in the Cedar Cemetery at Larrabee, Iowa prior to the service at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. Friends are welcome to attend the burial service. There will be a family prayer service at 10:45 a.m. at the church on Saturday. Visitation will be on Friday from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. with the family present from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com The family requests memorials be made to Cherokee Hospice.

She was born October 28th, 1931 to Edwin E. (Nubs) Beck and Marie D. Sump Beck. Betty was born and raised on the Beck Ranch just northeast of Larrabee. She was the oldest of 4 children.

Betty attended country school in Spring Township until 6th grade. She then attended Cherokee Wilson High School and graduated from there in 1949. She was honored by being named the class representative. She married Wayne R. Stewart on Feb 27th, 1956 in Dakota city, NE. They began farming together north of Larrabee, IA at that time and continued to do so until her death.

She was a great housekeeper and cook. Betty preferred being outside working in her yard, driving her tractor or riding her horse. She couldn't sing, dance or ride a ride a bike but she sure could ride a horse and drive a tractor. Betty idolized her father (Nubs Beck). She loved chauffeuring him to Montana on cattle buying trips; she had his same work ethic. Betty never had a job outside the home but had a full time job farming and working with her husband Wayne. She hauled many loads of corn and beans to the Larrabee elevator, her goal was to still be hauling at age 70, which she surpassed and continued to haul until the age of 82.

In later years enjoyed winters in Mesa AZ and Palm Springs CA. Where she met and cherished many friendships from Canada to Mexico.

Her love of baking and cooking was shared with everyone who walked through her door, either with a full meal or with a cookie, a piece of cake or cinnamon roll and coffee. Her house was a great gathering place for many birthday parties, baby showers, bridal showers, anniversary parties, super bowl parties and any occasion that seemed appropriate for laughter and happy times.

One of Betty's special friends was Dorothy Wilkie. The friendship blossomed between the families which lead to many fishing trips¸ traveling together, holiday parties' and lot of fun times. She cherished all the great memories they had made together.

She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, Cedar Township birthday club, Sutherland Saddle Club and ladies golf league. She wasn't a good golfer but she had 2 hole-in ones.

She was a caring person who always was willing to give a helping hand either at alacart at church or at local gatherings. She saw to the needs of her parents, her aunts Bonnie Shaw, Mary Doupe and her brother Eddie Beck Jr. She was there for her sister Donna in her time of need, also seeing to the needs of her sister Bonnie Beck (still living at Careage Hills).

Betty always looked forward to spending time with her daughter, granddaughter, and great grandchildren. She would bake special treats for them and loved when she had special requests. She would make their favorite muffins, cookies, and cinnamon rolls. She always knew how to make them feel so special with a hug, a little pat, or sitting on her lap.

Betty treated so many of her friends like family, and many of you thought of her as a second mother, second grandmother, and great grandmother. You all made her feel very special and she loved all of you so much.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a son Thomas E. Stewart in 1970 and a brother Eddie Beck Jr.

She is survived by her husband, Wayne, of which they had 61 wonderful years of marriage Daughter, Elizabeth and her husband Richard of Morristown, MN, Granddaughter Sarah James and husband Jesse James. 3 great-grandchildren; Carson, Parker and Peyton all from Waseca, MN. 2- step Grandson's; Sam Prescher and his family from Waseca, MN and Seth Prescher and his family from Morristown, MN . Sisters Bonnie Beck of Cherokee, IA and Donna Pigott Mummert of Plano, TX. One sister-in-law Gen Stewart of Fulda, MN and many nieces and nephews. Special friends Jerry and Julie Berglund.