Nancy Irene Stewart

Nancy Irene Stewart 75, passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior, on September 27, 2021, in Nampa Idaho after a valiant fight with covid.
Nancy was born November 26, 1945, to Fred and Laverna (Welles) Hokanson in Norris Montana and was the fifth in line of eight children. She grew up in Norris in a loving Christian home, where she attended grade school and high school in Harrison, MT.
Nancy met Gaither while attending a church revival, at the Rocky Mountain Baptist Church, where they fell in love and married June 2, 1962, at the Old Norris school house. Living in Ennis as newly weds they built their first home together, where they welcomed their first born Opal.
Nancy and Gaither spent time in Challis, ID, where they studied to become missionaries. This is where they welcomed their second born child Ben. They continued their missionary schooling in several communities throughout Idaho. They welcomed their third child Rebecca and fourth Shawn during this endeavor completing their family.
Nancy was always studying God’s word and wanting to share His love. Her dream was to become a missionary abroad, but as God worked it out, she became a missionary in supporting other foreign ministries, Church camps, and helped in starting Awana’s in her churches.
She also focused on the elderly in the community in Ennis visiting them regularly. Nancy wrote letters to all, as she loved to write, share, and encourage people. This became a ministry for her as well.
Nancy enjoyed playing the organ and/or piano for Sunday worship.

Nancy made the decision to be a stay-at-home Mom raising her four children in a godly home. She took in sewing and mending to always make birthdays and holidays special for her kids. As her talents grew, she flourished in quilting and knitting but was a master at crocheting. She was an entrepreneur in her own way, she used her business to share God’s word and love. Her favorite was creating special quilts for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren while praying over them with each stitch. Nancy got the most joy out of creating graduation quilts using family pictures for her grandchildren. Nancy and Gaither shared fifty-five plus committed loving years together.
Nancy is survived by:
Children Opal (John) Reitz of Spirit Lake, ID, Ben Stewart of Dillion, MT, Rebecca (Timothy) Kristovich of Marsing, ID and Shawn (RaChelle) Stewart of Emmette, ID. Grandchildren Stephanie (Nicholas) Tebbe, Crystal (Cody) Penkunis, Daniel Reitz, Kayla (Andrew) Johnson, Madsion Stewart, Halle Stewart, Josh (Haley) Kristovich, Amanda (Adam) Avery, John (Meaghan) Kristovich, Kasey Yee, Terron Oster, Rebecca Martindale and Tristan Wilkinson. 14 Great Grandchildren, and one coming in March
Brothers’ Alfred (Dixie) Hokanson of Norris, MT, Rodney (AJ) Hokanson, Bozeman, MT, sister Sharon (Richard) Smith of Three Forks, MT. Many wonderful Nieces and Nephews

Nancy was proceeded in death by Gaither Lawson Stewart December of 2017. Her parents Fred and Laverna (Wells) Hokanson Brothers, David Hokanson, baby twins, sisters Bethel Hokanson, Charlene Zackery and Elsa Makizuru.

Celebration of life services will be held Friday, October 8th at the Madison Valley Baptist Church at 3:00 pm in Ennis, MT Grave side to follow.
In lieu of flowers Nancy would love donation to be made to her favorite ministries. bestwa.org

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