Verna Rae Makalous Stewart passed away peacefully on April 15,2022, with her family by her side.  Vernie was born June 1, 1951, in Belleville, Kansas, to Lawrence and Helen (Beneda) Makalous.  Her childhood was a happy one on the family farm northwest of Cuba, Kansas, where she spent countless hours playing with her dog, Skippy, a new batch of kittens, and other farm animals.  She enjoyed playing the piano and her alto saxophone, singing, and riding for miles on her bike with her friend Connie Lahodny.  

 

Vernie attended rural Tabor School #33 for four years, then transferred to Cuba Grade School.  She graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1969.  Vernie graduated from cosmetology school in Salina and worked in Concordia and Beloit.  It was here she met her future husband, Jim Stewart.  They were married November 24, 1973, in the Beloit Presbyterian Church.  To this union two sons were born:  Joseph James, and Samuel Vernon.

 

Vernie and Jim lived and worked on Jim's family farm for many years.  The family enjoyed their annual vacations to many parts of the country.

 

Vernie later moved to Belleville, earned her CNA Certificate, and worked at the Long-Term Care for sixteen years.  She was a loyal member of the Cuba Presbyterian Church.  Vernie helped care for her mother until her passing in 2013.

 

Upon retirement, Vernie continued her passion for reading and often visited the library.  She worked word puzzles, doted on her feline companions, visited with friends, and spent time with her family.

 

She is survived by her sons Joseph (Corey) Stewart, O'Fallon, MO., Samuel (Carin) Stewart, Newton, Ks., sister Verlene (Joyce) Jackson, Chapman, Ks., two grandchildren Travis Sanders, Newton, Ks., and Megan (Jamin) Haddin, Newton, Ks., four great grandchildren Ryker Sanders, Ky'Marie Sanders, Liam Hadden, and Lexa Hadden.  Vernie was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Helen Makalous, brother Eldon Gene, and brother-in-law Roger Freed.

 

Memorial services will be held 1:30 PM, Saturday, April 23, 2022 at the Cuba Presbyterian Church, with her Pastor Phil Goombi officiating.  Private Inurnment will be at the National Bohemian Cemetery (Kopsa's), rural Cuba, KS at a later time.

 

Suggested memorials to the Cuba Presbyterian Church and the Belleville Public Library.

 

 Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the memorial service from 12:30 PM to 1:30  PM, Saturday, April 23, 2022 at the Cuba Presbyterian Church, Cuba, KS.

 

 Online condolences and information at www.bachelor-surber.com

 

 Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS in charge of arrangements.