Arlene Stewart

Arlene Sinclair Stewart, age 80, passed away on November 3, 2011. She was living in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, at the time of her death. Mary Arlene was born on April 1, 1931, to Earl and Nellie Miller Sinclair in the home of her Uncle Lewis Miller in Albia, Iowa. She started attending Maxon County School at the age of four and graduated from Albia High School in 1948. She met her future husband, Glen Stewart, in high school and they married on St. Patrick#8217;s Day in 1951. Together they owned a gas station and motel in Albia until 1961, when they moved to Bozeman. Arlene was an accomplished bookkeeper and worked until retiring in 1982. Despite suffering with rheumatoid arthritis for 31 years, Arlene never let the disease limit her. She loved water aerobics and working out at Curves, attaining 1430 workouts before moving to Jackson Hole to live with her daughter, Julie. She also enjoyed years of knitting, crocheting, needlework, ceramics, making Origami cards, gardening and traveling. Arlene was a member of Grand Avenue Christian Church and delighted in singing in the choir. Arlene was a very active member of the Order of Eastern Star in both Bozeman and Jackson Hole. She was so proud to serve as Lily of the Valley #4 Chapter Secretary for 16 years, Grand Representative of Connecticut in Montana, Grand Chaplain of Montana, and currently as Worthy Matron of Jackson Hole Chapter #50. Arlene believed in our youth and was a dedicated leader of Bozeman Rainbow Assembly #21 as a longtime member of the Advisory Board and two terms as Mother Advisor. Arlene is survived by her daughter, Julie Birrer (Kraig Kobert) of Jackson Hole; grandson Dr. Bret Birrer of Gillette, Wyoming; grandson Bryan Birrer of Boise, Idaho; and grandson Glen Stewart (wife Charlotte and daughter Sheila Stewart) of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and sister Lucille Rardin of Dallas, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Malcom (Pat) and Malvin (Mike), daughter-in-law Sheila Stewart, granddaughter Kristi Stewart, son Scott Stewart, and husband Glen Stewart. Her memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm on December 10th at the Dahl Funeral Chapel. Memorials to honor her can be made to the Arlene Stewart Memorial Rainbow Scholarship, in care of Nancy Hopkins, 911 Woodland Drive, Bozeman, MT 59718. Our Irish Lassie is now with her Lord and family, free of pain.