Bob passed away Sunday, March 14, 2021, at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.  

Robert Gilles Stewart was born April 9, 1943, in Devils Lake, N.D., the second of five children to James Gordon and Ethel “June” (Bailard) Stewart. As a young boy, Bob grew up on a farm near Southam, N.D., until his family moved into town where they owned and operated the hardware store, gas station and post office.  Robert attended school in Southam and Doyon School District before graduation from Crary High School with the class of 1960 with 14 other students. Bob worked for various farmers during his youth and in 1959, was given the opportunity to go south and do custom combining during the summer wheat harvest. After two summers of work, Bob considered not returning, but the day before the crew left for Oklahoma, he decided to go. God’s providence led to Bob meeting a young lady, Elaine Stroup, at a café in Osborne, Kan. Bob and Elaine began dating the following summer while Bob was earning his teaching degree from Mayville State College in North Dakota. On Aug. 9, 1964, Robert and Elaine were united in marriage in Osborne, Kan. Together, the couple made their home in Mora, Minn., and Manhattan, Kan., where Bob earned his master’s degree in remedial reading at Kansas State University before making the move to Fairmont, Minn., where they lived for 51 years and celebrated over 56 years of marriage. To this union, three daughters were born, Lori, Jodi, and Angie. Bob taught for 30 years in Fairmont and retired in 1999. During his tenure, he taught remedial reading, was the district’s reading director for 10 years and finished his career teaching 5th grade. Faith was extremely important to Bob and he credited Elaine and her family for helping him learn about God’s love. Family was one of Bob’s greatest joys and he treasured memories made on camping trips. He looked forward to warm summer days spent out on the golf course or working in his garden and never missed an opportunity to worship with other followers of Christ with a Bible study group at the Red Rock Center. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Elaine Stewart; daughters, Lori (Jeff) Nash, Jodi (Jason) Anderson, and Angie (Kevin) Lash; grandchildren, Mackenzie (Prom) Srey, Arika Nash, Alex Anderson, Michael Anderson, Claire Anderson, Anna Lash and Joseph Lash; great-granddaughter, Addy Srey; brothers and sisters, Jim (Karen) Stewart, Ruth Hatten, Al (Diane) Stewart, and Roger (Janel) Stewart; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dick and Delores Stroup; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Bob was also a beloved member of the Stroup family. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, James and June Stewart; and brother-in-law, Neil Hatten.

The family requests donations be made in Robert’s name to the charity of the donor’s choice. www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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