Marcella Irene (Tiber) Stewart

PORTAGE –  Marcella Irene (Tiber) Stewart, age 92, died on Saturday, January 28, 201 at Divine Savior Healthcare Hospital, in Portage.

Marcella was born on November 20, 1919, in Oakdale, the daughter of Joseph and Amelia (Honish) Tiber.  She graduated from Tomah High School.  She went on to attend beauty school and practiced in the Tomah area.  She married Neil Stewart on November 28, 1940, in Tomah.  Marcella and Neil moved to a farm in Marquette County, where they raised seven children.  They were active in 4H Club leadership, and the FFA organization.  They moved to Portage in 1966 after Neil’s illness.  Marcella worked at Divine Savior Hospital, Eulberg’s Men’s Store, and St. Mary’s School and church, before moving back out to “the country” in 1975.  Marcella was active in the St. Mary’s Choir, and was a Communion Minister.  She sewed Baptism Gowns for children going through St. Mary’s for over 30 years, as well as banners and Altar cloths.  She was a great seamstress, enjoyed growing flowers, and worked with Meals on Wheels.   

She is survived by her children, Kay (Tony) Tortorice, Tom Stewart, Jean (David) Kovalaske, Mark Stewart, and Karlene (Brian) Lynch; her grandchildren, Joseph (Kerri) Dunne, Cheryl (Mark) Deskins, Darlene Carter, Mike (Sally) Stewart, Matthew (Wendy) Kovalaske, Jennifer (Mitchell) Piotrowski, Heather Kovalaske, Melissa (Jeff) Romer, Nicholas Kovalaske, Fred (Trina) Cromwell, Dustin Lynch, and Fae Terpstra; 15 great-grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.  Marcella was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Neil, her son, Peter, her daughter, Carol, a granddaughter, Mary Dunne, and a grandson, Donnie Koenig.  

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 3, 2012 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Portage, with Fr. Jim Murphy presiding.  Burial will take place in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Montello Township.  Visitation will be held from5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, with a Scripture Service held at 4:45 p.m.  Visitation will also be held on Friday, from 10:00 until the time of the Mass at the church.