STEWARD, Madeline M.

Madeline M. (Earl) Steward, 94, of Baker City died July 17, 2014 while at Elkhorn Adult Care Facility. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 2177 1st. Street. Aletha Bonebrake will be officiating. There will be a reception at the church following the service. Madeline was born in Scio, Oregon on January 2, 1920 to Ralph H. McDonald and Myrtle Peterson McDonald. She was the second born of six daughters; Madeline attended grades one through eight in a one room school house in Scio, Oregon where her father taught all grades. Upon graduation from the twelfth grade in Scio, Madeline enrolled in St. Anthony’s School of Nursing in Pendleton, Oregon. Having successfully completed nurses training and receiving her “cap” she went to work for Dr. Fevis whose practice included the Umatilla Indian Reservation. While attending nursing school, Madeline met and married Stuart T. Earl. Stuart was employed by the Oregon State Police and that employment promotion would ultimately bring Madeline and Stuart to Baker in the winter of 1949. During WWII when Stuart was deployed to Okinawa, Madeline spent two years as a “war widow” raising their first born daughter. Before leaving Pendleton, two more daughters would be born. Upon arriving in Baker Madeline worked private duty cases at St. Elizabeth Hospital, now known as Baker Towers. Soon after she acquired a position with the Baker Clinic at their old location across the street from what is now Crossroads (Carnegie Library Building). Her employers were Palmer McKim (Bob McKim’s father), Menzie McKim and Carl Kostol. Madeline loved nursing and was passionate about the care of her patients. In 1962 Madeline obtained her real estate license and also continued nursing fulltime for the Baker Clinic. She had a love of learning and continued her nursing education taking additional classes when opportunities presented. Madeline expanded her nursing career in 1972 by working in Pendleton for eight years for a urology specialist. Upon Stuart’s retirement, Madeline and Stuart traveled extensively with the Wally Byam Caravan group in their bright shiny new aluminum trailer. Excursions covered most of Mexico, Guatemala and the United States. Madeline loved adventure and was always ready to go down a new road, meet the locals and try their cuisine. Madeline, having retired also, found it necessary to go back to work upon the sudden and unexpected death of Stuart. She acquired a position with St. Elizabeth Hospital in Home Health. There she met Robert Steward whom she would marry the following year. Robert was a rancher and Madeline jumped into the role of “cowgirl”. She learned to ride horses, sort cattle and check on newborn calves. She was active in the Cattlewomen’s Association and loved living in the country. She and Robert built a home in Baker City after their ranch in Keating Oregon sold. Madeline lived in the home she designed until July, 2011. One of Madeline’s greatest joys was serving a beautiful dinner to family and friends. She set an elegant table and took great care in preparing food. She enjoyed gardening, was passionate about bridge and never tired of reading. Madeline was a member of the Oregon Nurses Association, Oregon Cattlewomen’s Association, Oregon Realtors Association, Beta Sigma Phi and the Me “N” You Social club. She was also an active member in St. Stephen’ Episcopal Church serving on vestry and alter guild numerous times as well as a variety of other committees for over fifty five years. Madeline was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands Stuart T. Earl, Robert Steward and four sisters. She is survived by her youngest sister Norma Winters, her daughters Susan Earl Castles, Pamela Earl Busey and Jane Earl Barrett. She is also survived by two grand daughters Heather Renjen and Sara Kleen as well as two great grandchildren, Tobin Kleen-William and Shiv Renjen. In lieu of flowers the family request contributions may be made to: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church or Best Friends of Baker Animal Rescue. This may be done through Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Baker City, Oregon 97814. therconline.com 31 July 2014