Bonita Stewart

BONITA "BONNIE" MAE STEWART

Peoria, AZ

Bonita "Bonnie" Mae Stewart, age 77 of Peoria, Arizona, formerly of West Chester, Iowa, passed peacefully on Friday, November 23, 2018 surrounded by her family.

Celebration of Life services will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Stepping Stones Academy, 35812 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85086 with Senior Pastor Charlie Edmond officiating. Visitation with the family will be after the service at Stepping Stones Academy.

Memorials have been established for the West Chester United Methodist Church in West Chester, Iowa and the Arizona Alzheimers Association in the name of Bonita Stewart. Memorials and flowers may be sent to Family of Bonnie Stewart, Stepping Stones Academy, 35812 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85086. Online condolences may be sent to bonnie@ssa.school or ddsa@steppingstonesacademy.org.

Bonnie was born on January 29, 1941 in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of Ralph D. and Opal I. (Palmer) Herr. She graduated from Keota High School in 1959 and Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in 1962. On August 26, 1962 Bonnie was united in marriage to Richard Max Stewart at Keota United Methodist Church in Keota, Iowa. Bonnie and Richard lived in Iowa with their four children until moving to Phoenix, Arizona in 1989.

Bonnie was a dedicated nurse and held several positions during her 40 year career. She started her career in obstetrics at Washington County Hospital in Washington, Iowa and later served as the Director of Nursing for Parkview Manor in Wellman, Iowa. Upon moving to Arizona, Bonnie served as marketing director for Community Hospice and hospice state surveyor with the Arizona Department of Health until she retired. Bonnie loved her nursing and helping others, but even more she loved her faith and family. Through the years Bonnie remained active in her church and enjoyed spending time with her family.

Bonnie is survived by her husband Richard Stewart; daughter Dedre Stewart-Alliger; daughter Nicholle Stewart; daughter Shawna (Walter) Jones; son Collin (Laura) Stewart all of Phoenix, Arizona; 8 grandchildren: Caleb and Courtney Alliger; Calli, Emily and Max Stewart; and Tiffany, Erika and Madison Jones. She is also survived by brother Stanley (Jacquelyn) Herr of Robins, Iowa, aunt Joyce (Herr) Erdahl, Monticello, Iowa and seven nieces and nephews.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents and brother Russell Herr.