Norman Stewart

Norman E. Stewart, age 97, of Washington, Kansas, died Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the Community Memorial Hospital in Marysville, Kansas.

Visitation was held Sunday, October 4, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home in Washington, with the family present to receive friends.

A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 5, at Washington Christian Church, with Pastor Eli Sweany officiating.

Pallbearers were Ty Stewart, Casey Habr, Stewart Manning, Scott Manning, Skyler Manning, Robert Spence, Brian Spence and David Deters.

Burial took place at the Washington City Cemetery.

Norman was born January 6, 1929, on his mother’s birthday in rural Charleston Township in Washington County, Kansas, to Raymond and Ethel Fay (Tegethoff) Stewart. He attended Emmons Country School up to 8th grade and then graduated from Washington High School in 1946.

He married his high school sweetheart, Wanda Lee Boston, on October 1, 1950, on a very rainy day at the Washington Christian Church. To this union, four children were born: Ruth Ann, Gay Lynn, Kathy and Paul. Norman and Wanda celebrated more than 50 years of marriage before she passed away on August 8, 2001.

Norman proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Following his honorable discharge, he was eager to return home to his young wife and farm.

Farming was more than Norman’s livelihood. It was something he truly loved. He enjoyed caring for the land and tending to his animals throughout his life. He was a member of the Washington FFA and Hi-Y Christian Club all four years of high school. As a young man, Norman was a member of the Busy Bee 4-H Club. Over the years, he and Wanda loved square dancing, playing in a pinochle group, and enjoyed a special 25th anniversary trip to Hawaii with his sister, Sylvia and Neil.

Norman was a lifelong member of the Washington Christian Church, where he faithfully served as chairman of the board, trustee, deacon, and elder. He also served on the First National Bank Board for 24 years, C&W Electric Board from 1963-1969, a member of the Kansas Livestock Association, and was a lifelong member of the American Legion and VFW. He was awarded the Third Generation FFA Alumni Award in 2013. Norman was instrumental in preserving a piece of local history by helping to get the Emmons Country School moved into downtown Washington.

He farmed alongside his son, Paul, and grandson Ty. The family farmed north of Washington, raising cattle, including longhorns.

Norman married Marcella Holbrook on January 1, 2003, and was blessed by sharing 23 years of marriage and being a part of the Holbrook family.

Over the last five years he has resided at Blue Valley Health and Rehabilitation in Blue Rapids, KS. He especially enjoyed Marcella coming down to share Bingo Day, watch Wheel of Fortune, a good rodeo, or just listen to some good polka music on Molly B. He cherished visits from all his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Fay Stewart; spouses, Wanda Stewart and Marcella Holbrook; brother, Adelbert Stewart and niece, Shari Ann Stewart; brother, Conrad Stewart; sister-in-law, JoAnn Boston; and great-grandson, Whitley Ray Stewart.

Survivors include his four children, Ruth Ann Finlayson (Keith) of Gypsum, Kansas, Gay Lynn Manning (Mike) of Washington, Kathy Spence (Steve) of Porter, Texas, and Paul Stewart (Susan) of Washington; sister, Sylvia Baird (Neil) of Overland Park, Kansas; brother-in-law, Darel Boston of Norton, Kansas; sisters-in-law, Lavone Stewart, Deanna Balthazor, and Gena Ketter; twelve grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial fund has been established in Norman’s name and it will be shared with the Washington Christian Church and community. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, P.O. Box 157, Washington, KS 66968.