Suzanne Jane (Irigoin) Stewart of Miles City, age 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care.
Suzanne was born on July 25, 1924 one of four children, to Jean and Marianne (Eyherabide) Irigoin on the family farm in the Elmdale Community northwest of Sidney, Montana. After graduating from High School in Sidney, MT. Suzanne, together with her sister Pauline, signed on with the United States Cadet Nurse Corps of W.W.II. and attended the Presentation School of Nursing in Aberdeen, South Dakota. To complete the school’s training requirements, she was sent to work in the Hospital of St Paul, MN and Miles City, MT. On March 31, 1947 she received her Montana State Board of Examiners for Nurses and graduated as an RN. During her four years of training, she and her sister sang on the radio in St Paul and Miles City for the purpose of recruiting other girls to join the Cadet Nurse Corps. They were known as “Sue and Pal, The Singing Sisters”. While working in Miles City she met and married her husband, Douglas A. Stewart. They were united in marriage on November 18, 1947 and had six children. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Church and participated in several church organizations over the years. With great passion, she focused her time on her work, raising her children, and her devotion to God.
Suzanne was a loving mother, a fantastic nurse, and followed her calling for many years, being her Lords healing hands.
Suzanne is survived by her six children: Doug and his wife Janet (Quall), Susan and her husband Samuel Witwer, Kathy and her husband Greg Ugrin, Jane and her husband Michael MacDonald, Karen Stewart-Carrico and her husband Jim Carrico and Don and his wife Terri (Martin); one sister, Pauline Pfeffer; 18 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Douglas, her sister Yvonne Summons and her brother Joe.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2014 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A Rosary will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 25, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of Committal will follow in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday April 24, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rosary Service
7:00 p.m.
Thursday April 24, 2014
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 a.m.
Friday April 25, 2014
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday April 24, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rosary Service
7:00 p.m.
Thursday April 24, 2014
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 a.m.
Friday April 25, 2014
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Kay Carlson says
Dearest Karen and family,
My heart and prayers are with you. Your mom was such an amazing woman. You were truly blessed with the best.
Nicole Hileman says
Dear family,
I just heard the sad news…Sue was a great friend to mom and to our family…she will be dearly missed, but I look forward to visiting with her in heaven! My heart hurts for you as you go through this hard time and I pray God’s Spirit will comfort you with His Peace and Joy!
Barbara Phair says
For the Stewart Family: Your mom was quite the amazing person….but then, you already knew that…. I will have many treasured memories of her, not forgetting her guidance, love, compassion, faith and strength during difficult times, but all the countless others she touched over those many years. I am thinking of you, Doug, Suzy, Kathy, Jane, my beloved friend Karen, and Donnie (and families). I know you will find laughter in those memories, and may that laughter and faith sustain you guys at this time. My love to you all…..and thank you Sue!
Diane Grutkowski says
Dear Stewart family,
I am very sorry for your loss. Please know that I am standing by your side in prayer. Lean on your faith and your friends. Have faith….God is such a good healer. Your mom will be forever missed and forever remembered.
Dannette Cremer says
Dear Stewart family: So sorry for your loss. I will miss seeing Sue – she always had a great smile and bits of knowledge to share. I was her “insurance girl”.
May you treasure the memories! God Bless
Janet Buraas Klein says
Dear Stewart Family..as I was enjoying coffee and treats at Kafe Utza, Sue would come in to check on Kara and visit with the many people who were enjoying their time on coffee breaks. She was always the pleasant little lady that had a funny little story or quip to share with someone or everyone! Sue was a special lady who had great love for her family and was so proud of each and all of them, with great reason to be too! Always a smile on her face, a lilt in her step and a small wave and she was gone. She is now the angel that will look over each of you with her journey into heaven and life will never be the same without Sue being around, but with the twinkle that was in here eye, I know that she is never going to ‘not be around’ you and she will make her presence known! Bye Sue , you will be missed but I will never forget you! Thoughts, many prayers and hugs coming to each of you!
Sandy Anderson says
I so enjoyed visiting with your Mom. She would stop by the shop on her walks and she would keep
me updated on how everyone was. We will all really miss her.
robin wolff says
so sorry to hear of your loss. if there is any thing we can do please let us know. will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. love Kyle Robin and Shatorrie.
Dodie Paxson says
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I will always remember when I met her in 1968 when my mom was in the hospital and Sue’s presence and remarkable ability as a nurse made everything so much better. She was so compassionate and kind to us all. She was an angel in disguise. Cling to your many memories, remember that twinkle in her eye and know she will be watching over you all.
Sally Baldwin O'Neal says
I have such happy memories of working with Sue, she was a great nurse and an even better friend! It doesn’t seem possible that it has been more than fifty years ago. I will miss our summer visit when I would stop to see her, she was so proud to tell me what each of you kids and grandkids were doing and how much work it was to water her lawn! She called herself Gramma Sue to our kids, we will all miss her. I am sorry for your loss. Sally
Linda & Richard Meidinger says
So sorry to hear of your loss of Sue. I worked with her years ago and loved working
with her. She was always fun when we had our break time. I last saw her several years ago
when we happened to be back to Miles City. She was a very special lady. She always had great storys to tell and did have a twinkle in her eyes for sure.
May your memories of great times together help you through this tough time.
Your in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace Sue.
pauline pfeffer and family says
We will miss you Suzanne and we’ll keep you in our prayers.
Diane Welbes says
Stewart family–Your mom was such a great person, she would always walk in front of my place and stop to talk. She is with Our Lord now, and what a great place to be. My thoughts & prayers are with you all.
Berl & Cathy (Neumann) Pyle says
Sorry for the loss of your mom, she was such a neat lady. God bless & take care
Judith Williams says
I worked with Sue at Holy Rosary Hospital from 1978 through 1987. She was the most capable nurse I ever worked with and always had a funny story to tell sometime during the shift. It was a pleasure to know her. Judy (Taylor) Williams
Pam ( Moths) Nisley and husband Dave says
What lovely neighbors all of you were to us! I remember your beautiful mom walking to work no matter the weather past our home to and from work at the old Holy Rosary Hospital! Prayers for God’s comfort for all of you~ We care!
Megan (Berg) King says
Always loved your mom and was so sad to hear this news. So sorry for your loss and holding you all in my heart and prayers.
Denise Oberlander Harvey says
What a delightful woman! I so enjoyed visits with Sue when I would meet her on a walk. She also was a wonderful nurse caring for my husband in 1985. Thank you for sharing her with us! Take care and God Bless!
Denise Oberlander Harvey
Tom and Lillian Ostendorf says
Sorry to hear about Sue’s passing, she was a lovely person and took excellent care of many of us. She will be missed and fondly remembered. Our deepest sympathy…Lillian Orestad Ostendorf.
Mary (Zeitner) Scherling says
Stewart sisters and brothers….your mom was such an inspiration! When we were kids, I remember being in awe of her organizational skills (work charts!….which I hoped my mom wouldn’t discover!) I remember fondly the time I spent growing up in your home and the wonderful example she set every day. It must have been something like herding cats getting all you kids out of the nest and into the world! Of course, she did an amazing job. She was a beautiful, intelligent, caring and independent woman. I suspect she left a bit of herself in all of you. I have fond memories of not only your mom, but each and every one of you…and especially Karen. Blessings to you all.
Don and Kathy Steppler says
Doug, Susan, Kathy, Jane, Karen and Don; We are very sorry to hear the news about Sue. The stories I’ve heard of Sue, Pauline, Yvonne and Joe from my mom(Frances), have been hilarious and many. They all had such a good time growing up as “sister and brothers”with the Amestoy’s, Sallaberry’s and Irigoin’s. They were together all the time, and remained friends always. The pictures I have prove that. The reunion they are having must be incredible, because the wind has been blowing non-stop for days, which proves the Basque is flying as they are catching up on old times. Keep your memories close and Sue will always be near. We have learned that from experience. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love Always, Don and Kathy Steppler
Matt Brubaker says
Mrs. Stewart was a very sweet lady. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Stewart family.
David Harasymczuk says
Some of my earliest memories was of your Mom in her starched white Nurse uniform, walking down Merriam to the hospital. Grandma Irigoin with her Basque accent laughing in the kitchen. Your Mom gave to you all the gift of love, the charity of compassion and empathy. Sue was one of the classiest ladies I’ve ever known. Awesome with a joke, quick with a slight, all knowing smile, and gracious in her demeanor. I have so many memories of the Stewart household. My hero Doug, dancing to the Beatles with the girls, and Don’s fabulous creativity from making cartoons to the old haunted house. I love you all and I am so sorry. I hope you find comfort in the fact that she is in Heaven with friends and family and you will see her again.
David
Connie Jo (Berg) Dulaney says
I have so many fond memories of Sue coming over to the house, loved to just listen to her talk. She was always so positive and uplifting, and such fun! Praying that all your wonderful memories help get you through this tough time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
jill zignego says
doug, susan, kathy, jane, karen and donnie – your mom was amazing – beautiful, kind and hilarious. she always made me laugh and i just loved hearing her voice.
it is not easy to lose our mothers but you have great stories and each other.
all my love and prayers to you at this very sad time. xxooo jill aka mary jill
Deb (Moths) Schmeling says
Dear Stewart Family,
You Mom was a Kick!!! We sure enjoyed her as a neighbor. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May God wrap his loving arms around each one of you.
Deb
Doug Zignego says
The Stewart family were an integral part of our neighborhood when we were growing up. We had a lot of great times together and your mom was central to everything which you did. Remember riding bikes through the fog from the mosquito spraying truck during the summer and ‘kick the can’ till after dark. She was a great lady and will be missed but she will be remembered and loved forever by those who knew her. Your mom and all of you are in the all of the Zignego family prayers. Take care and may God bless all of you.
Doug, Chris, Matthew, Nicholas and Katie Lee Zignego
Mary Ann Liles says
Oh, I will remember your mother with such fondness. She always had time to stop and visit and told her stories with such sparkle and enthusiasm. When my family and I moved back to Miles City after 28 years away, she knew me instantly and greeted me as if we’d seen one another the day before. She and my mother shared a deep love of nursing. She will be greatly missed, but what a blessing for you to have had her as “Mom”.
Mary Ann (Stockhill) Liles
Judith Zignego Hinz says
Dearest Doug, Susan, Kathy, Jane, Karen, Donny, and Families,
Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of your precious mother Suzanne…she was a beautiful lady, mother and friend…Suzanne was completely dedicated to her family and church…she will be truly missed…May the love of your family, friends and faith in God help ease your sorrow during this sad time leaving only your fondest memories of Suzanne…sorry I was unable to attend Suzanne’s funeral as I am in Arizona being “granny the nanny” for my daughter Erika’s newborn son Kai…
Love and God Bless, Judith Zignego Hinz
Karen Stwart-Carrico says
Just wanted to thank everyone for your warm, loving comments about Mom. You’ve touched my heart and brought me comfort. God Bless you all,
Karen
Cheryl Schweigert says
Our hugs, thoughts, and prayers are with all of you. Memories of your mom and the wisdom she shared are some of our lives’ best blessings. I’m confident she’ll still try to keep all of you in line and on life’s best paths, as well as those with whom your lives are inter-twined. Special thoughts for special times, and may God’s strength be with you as you all continue . . . and one more hug . . .
Cheryl Mann/Schweigert
Doug Stewart says
I want to thank you all for the the kinds words and prayers. My sisters Susie, Kathy, Jane, Karen and brother Don (and our families) are the lucky ones to have Suzanne Jane as our mother (and Grandmother). She gave us all the best gift a parent can give a child and that is to be independent and be responsible for oneself. Thank you Mom! I will miss you. Love your son Doug
Linn David Hagstrom says
I was so sorry to hear of her passing. I lived next door to the Stewart family during my high schoool years, and knew them all well, with Doug being my best friend. I always admired Mrs. Stewart for her determination to raise her family well and to keep them together in spite of their difficult circumstances. I have lost touch over the years, but I will always remember that fierce Basque determination that characterized her life. Bless her soul, she was a good and strong woman. Sincerely, Linn Hagstrom (Hageman!)
Anita raben scheeler says
I am so sorry to hear the loss of your mother. I worked with your in 1976 as a nurse assistant and I had the most respect for her skills and compassion for her patients. On a personal level she invited me over to her home to visit and showed me all the pictures of your families. She was so proud of all of you.I am so thankful that I had the opportunity of knowing your mother and working with her. She was a remarkable woman.
Anitascheeler@yahoo.com says
I am so sorry to hear the loss of your mother. I worked with your in 1976 as a nurse assistant and I had the most respect for her skills and compassion for her patients. On a personal level she invited me over to her home to visit and showed me all the pictures of your families. She was so proud of all of you.I am so thankful that I had the opportunity of knowing your mother and working with her. She was a remarkable woman.Sorry for the delay,I just found out.
Debi Rapstad says
I was so sorry to hear about your Mom. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and my prayers at this time. Let me know if there is anything you need. Take good care during this difficult time
Renee Pfeffer says
I as a 6 year old remember being in Aunt Sue’s house and thought Aunt Sue was my mom, Pauline, I walked in to the pantry and said “Mom, I’m hungry, I was shocked when “my mom” who was NOT my mom, Aunt Sue looked down at me and said “have some peanuts”. I also remember a haunted house.. Doug, you make Paulines Day every time you call, I should know I have taken some of your calls.