The Life of CHARLENE RUTH STEWART
Charlene "Char" Ruth Stewart, 80, died Thursday, March 17, 2011, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston after a brave and courageous fight against cancer. She was born December 28, 1930, in Boone, Iowa to Ruth and Charles Fritch. Char started her career as a medical assistant with Roy Overton, Sr., that soon developed into a lifetime friendship. She worked for 30 years as a lab tech for the VA Hospital and for the past 25 years has been teaching in the Med Lab Tech and Phlebotomy Department at DMACC. Char was a life long member of the Lutheran Church. She enjoyed collecting Santas, pigs, P. Buckley Moss prints, crocheting, cross stitch, and was an Iowa Hawkeye fan. Char is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, Vern; daughter, Robin Stewart; sisters, Joan Sauer, Mary Lou (George) Olauson, Shirley (Gary) Fitzgerald; brother-in-law, Gene (Joy) Stewart; two nieces; five nephews; 11 great nieces and nephews; one great-great nephew; her former co-workers at the VA Hospital and DMACC; hundreds of past and present Med Lab Tech students; and special neighbors and many friends. Her adored and loved dog, Crickett. She was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Calvin Sauer; sister, Ellen Fritch; parents Charles and Ruth; parents-in-law, Vern A. and Viola Stewart. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 21, 2011, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 8301 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Family will greet visitors from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 20, at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the DMACC Foundation – Char Stewart Scholarship Fund. This will be used to award scholarships to Med Lab Tech students. A special thanks to Mercy Hospice in Johnston for all the wonderful care given to Char.