Byrna Rae Stewart (Wickers)

Published by editor on Mon, 07/14/2025 - 3:14pm

1937 - 2025

PARKERSBURG - Byrna Rae Stewart (Wickers) was born near Fern, Iowa, on Sept. 11, 1937. She attended country school in Fern until her parents moved to Parkersburg. Byrna Rae, as she was known, was involved in many school activities and was an excellent student. She graduated from PHS in 1955.

After high school, Byrna studied to be an X-ray technician in Mason City. Most weekends, she spent at The Surf, where "I saw everyone who played there."

Byrna was employed as an X-Ray technician for several years. Byrna married Dale Stewart, U.S. Army, of Watertown, Wisconsin, on Dec. 29, 1961. Their Army years together were spent at Fort Sheridan, Illinois; Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Parkersburg, while Dale was in Vietnam, and a 3-year tour abroad in Giessen, West Germany.

After returning from overseas, Dale, Byrna, Tom, and Curt settled in Libertyville, Illinois. In 1978 the family moved to Parkersburg. Dale worked at UNI, and Byrna was a homemaker and avid auction goer. Lifelong collectors and lovers of old things, the couple opened Stewart's Antiques in 1993. Byrna kept the business open until 2017.

In the early morning hours of July 4, Byrna lost her battle with dementia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Trena, two infant sisters, her husband, her sisters, Doreen and Doris, and her beloved son, Curtis.

Those who knew her would say: "You always knew where you stood with Byrna."

There will be no services.

In place of flowers or memorials, please give to the Curt Stewart Dollars for Scholars Scholarship.