Frances Rakestraw Stewart

Frances Rakestraw Stewart, 86, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2010, at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, CA, after a valiant struggle for several years with multiple medical problems. Fran, as she was known by her friends, was born on December 13, 1923, at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, CA, to Josie Johnson Rakestraw and Boyd Bremmer Rakestraw. After she graduated from Berkeley High School in 1941, she entered the University of California, at Berkeley, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. It was in college she met her future husband on a blind date, James H. Stewart, known by friends as Jim. Fran and Jim were married on December 18, 1943. Fran left college to work on the war effort at the testing lab of Standard Oil in Richmond, CA, until her husband graduated from the University of California and entered the Navy two months later. When Jim returned from the South Pacific, the couple moved to Fresno, CA: two years later moved to Caney, KS, where Jim was employed as project engineer on the construction of the Hulah Dam. After she gave birth to her daughter Jenny, she and Jim moved to Ft. Collins, CO, in 1950. Seeking to complete her college education, Fran enrolled at Colorado State University in 1960 where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences and received a teacher's certification in Social Studies in 1965. Fran taught at both Fort Collins and Rocky Mountain High Schools for 13 years. She was responsible for developing the first curriculum for psychology classes in Poudre R-1 and becoming the district's first psychology teacher. Fran, who was always physically vivacious and active, was an avid golfer, taking up the game at City Park Nine in 1956. She became the first women's club champion at Fort Collins Country Club in 1960. She also loved to play tennis and ski. When her children were young, Fran loved to play duplicate bridge, winning multiple trophies and master points. She was an avid reader and bicycle rider often riding up to 10 miles per day. In 1985, she and Jim joined Ironwood Country Club in Palm Desert, CA, where they enjoyed a second home, spending winters playing golf and tennis. Fran was an active member at both St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Fort Collins and St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert. Fran's family will always remember her for her love of life. She leaves behind her husband of 66 years, James H. Stewart; sons, James B. Stewart of Tucson, AZ, and David R. Stewart (Mary) of Fort Collins; daughters, Jenny S. Dietrich (Bernd) of Schweinfurt, Germany, and Jo Anne Pedersen (Jerry) of Louisville, CO. Fran also leaves behind her grandchildren, Eric Stewart, Jennifer Stewart, James R. Stewart, Andrew Stewart (Courtney), Jared Pedersen (Malia) and Krystal Pedersen; two great granddaughters, Makayla LeeAnne Pedersen and Faith Olivia Stewart; and sister, Janice Creighton of Arizona. She is preceded in death by her parents and older sister, Mary Switzer. A private ceremony for family will be held at Grandview Cemetery on May 13, 2010. There will be a Memorial Requiem at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Ft. Collins, CO on May 21, 2010. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or St. Luke's Episcopal Church or a charity of choice in care of Allnutt funeral service, 650 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80526.