ELKHART - Lesta E. (Eden) Stewart, 87, passed away Saturday, February 10th, 2018 at the Morton County Hospital, Elkhart, KS. She was born October 12, 1930 in rural Grady County, close to Minco, OK to Henry John and Helena Melissa (Paul) Eden. She married Robert “Bob” Mason Stewart on February 20, 1953 in Minco, OK. Bob and Lesta were within 10 days of their 65th anniversary.

Lesta grew up on a farm near Minco, OK. As the oldest of four girls, she helped her dad with many farm chores.  She liked to run and later played field hockey in college. She grew up sewing and became a very skilled seamstress. Lesta held Bachelor's degrees in Business Education and Physical Education from Central State University in Oklahoma and a Master's degree in Business Administration from West Texas State University. She was a second grade teacher at Elkhart Elementary School most of her teaching career; she taught for over 30 years. She took pride in being a member, along with her daughters, of Delta Kappa Gamma, an organization of women educators.

Lesta was a member of First Baptist Church and a good Christian lady who taught Sunday School for many years. She also helped with 4-H and the county fair, taught tennis and enjoyed piano music. She liked gardening and canning; and also, baking pies. Most of all, Lesta loved her husband, family and teaching. Bob and Lesta traveled to a wide variety of places for many years; with and without other family members. They enjoyed boating and Lake Texoma was a favorite vacation spot. In recent years, Lesta loved her cats and the view of the trees in the backyard of their home.

She is survived by her husband of almost 65 years, Bob Stewart; daughters, Susan Kern and husband Brad of Canyon, TX, Diane Brown and husband Gene of Elkhart, KS; 3 granddaughters, Valerie Johnson, Savanna Davis, Stephanie Brown; 3 great-grandchildren, Kira, Koya, and Zade Johnson; 3 sisters, Eileen Mozingo, Ruth Kunkel, and Avanell McLemore.

Graveside services will be 2pm Friday, March 2, 2018 at the Elkhart Cemetery with Pastor Ed Richards presiding. Cremation has been entrusted to the Weeks Family Funeral Home & Crematory of Sublette, KS.

Suggested memorial contributions are to Elkhart First Baptist Church, Whistlestop Park, and Morton Co. Historical Society Museum in care of Weeks Family Funeral Home, PO Box 1200, Sublette, KS 67877. Condolences may be left online at WeeksFamilyFuneralHome.com.