Barbara Stewart passed away very peacefully January 14, 2022 at 4:03pm at Riverside Assisted Living with family by her side.

Barbara was born June 12, 1931 in Tecumseh, NE, daughter of Jacob A. and Oleta (Fink) Keim. Barb was the eldest of three children. The family lived in Tecumseh until approximately 1936, when they moved to Lincoln, NE. Barb graduated from Lincoln H.S. in 1949. She met the love of her life, Joseph Stewart, and they married on June 19, 1949. When asked, "How did you meet," Barb and Joe liked to say they "met at church", when actually it was after a meeting Barb had attended. Some boys were just hanging around outside afterwards, and a friend introduced them. Barb and Joe lived in Lincoln for about 6 years and stated their family with a daughter. They took a chance and moved to San Jose, CA where Barb's Aunt Vivien and grandmother lived. In 1957 they adopted a baby boy and made their family complete.

Barb's final wishes were to be cremated. Her remains will be laid to rest at the Grand Island Cemetery. A memorial service will be held Friday, February 4, 2022 at 1:00pm at True North Church, 1804 W. State St with Pastor Paul Canady officiating. The service will be livestreamed on the Church's Facebook page for those who can't attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association in her name.

Barb loved to sing and sang in many church choirs wherever they lived. She was privileged to sing in a Billy Graham choir with her mother while living in Redding, CA. She also sang in the Singing Christmas Tree in Grand Island. When she wasn't signing, she would whistle through her teeth. You always knew where she was. Barb enjoyed working with and serving others. She worked in a women's clothing store in downtown San Jose, but also enjoyed sewing and making clothes for her family.

Barb and Joe co-managed a fishing resort on the Sacramento River, called Ball's Ferry. After moving back to Nebraska, her husband passed away and Barb volunteered at SFMC Gift Shop for years. She also made newborn baby hats for the hospital. She liked to keep busy and was an avid reader, enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, playing board games, and cards. She had many lifelong friendships, however, her greatest joy was being a wife and a mother!

Barb was preceded in death by her brother, Jacob H. Keim; father, Jacob A. Keim; husband, Joseph; mother, Oleta Keim and sister, Phillis Blue.

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Julie (John) Self of Grand Island; son, Mark (Deborah) Stewart of Susanville, CA; grandson, Paul Self of Grand Island; granddaughter, Sara (Todd) Wilson of Grand Island; grandson, Curtis (Kristine) Self of Omaha; granddaughter, Jahnay (Steve) Ford of Texas; granddaughter, Melody Gutierrez of Kansas; grandson, Ryan (Valorie) Stewart of California; 12 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren and nieces and cousins. Condolences can be left at www.livson.com .