Margaret D. Stuart

Margaret D. Stuart, age 94 of Cozad, passed away Thursday, June 27, 2013, at Meadowlark Pointe in Cozad. Margaret was born November 10, 1918, in Cozad, Nebraska to Earl and Mabel (Atkins) Luttin. Unfortunately, the next day her father died of the 1918 Flu epidemic. Margaret and her mother then lived for several years with her maternal grandparents, who operated a large dairy on what is today East 12th street in Cozad. Since Margaret was an only child the four children of her mother""s twin sister were like siblings. She graduated from Cozad High School in 1936 and attended junior college in Long Beach, California. Following her schooling, Margaret returned to Cozad and was employed as a bank teller. The job at the bank led to Margaret meeting her future husband, M. Jack Stuart, who was in the early stages of launching F & S Sausage Company. The couple married on June 25, 1948, and remained in Cozad as business partners with Cot and Euvah Stuart and Rudy and Sophie Fischer. Margaret assisted with the business any way she was needed until they had a family and her children became her primary focus. Jack and Margaret remained involved with F & S Sausage Company for over 30 years. Margaret placed a high value on her family throughout her life, and even kept up with distant family members by writing frequent letters. A few letters reached the hands of relatives she had never met. She sought to make connections whenever she could, and maintained them fervently. It was important to Margaret that she nurtured an appreciation for music, learning, and volunteerism in her children. Margaret was active in her church through youth Sunday School, choir, Bible study, Adult Sunday School and Women""s Society. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader in addition to involvement in Extension Club and Birthday Club. Margaret served in numerous leadership roles: Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star, President of the United Methodist Women, President of the Countryside China Painter""s, and President of the Tri-County Shrine Auxiliary. An active life never kept Margaret from her highest priorities, family and God. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband in 1985; her son Orlo Brent Stuart; and her parents. Survivors include her 2 daughters, Earlene Uhrig of Omaha, Marla (Stephen) Houston of Omaha; 6 grandchildren, Stephanie, Louree, Jack, and Andrew Houston and Brent and Brian Uhrig; brothers-in-law, D.M. ""Cot""� (Euvah) Stuart and Ervin Kloppenborg all of Cozad; and Jack King of New Carrolton, MD. Memorials have been established in her memory with Cozad United Methodist Church, Meadowlark Pointe Assisted Living, and Tri-County Shrine Auxiliary. Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Services will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cozad United Methodist Church with Pastor Doug Smith officiating. Burial will be in Cozad Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad.