Obituary for Lela Stewart

Ponca City Now - October 26, 2017 3:09 pm

Lela Pearl Stewart

June 9, 1925 – October 25, 2017

Lela “Lee” Pearl (Lieber) Stewart, longtime resident of Ponca City, passed away Wednesday, October 25. She was 92 years old.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First Baptist Chapel at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2017 with Pastor Michael Taylor officiating. Burial will be at Odd Fellows cemetery following the service. Honorary Casketbearers will be Kenny Swalley, Alan Lieber, Phil Lieber, Paul Branstetter, Henry Branstetter, Tom McCoy, Philip O’Hara, Hurley Bohon, John Farris.

Lela was born June 9, 1925 in Braman, Oklahoma to William W. Lieber and Nora (Loucks) Lieber. She attended schools in Braman , OK, Earlton, KS, Thayer, KS, Pawhuska, OK, and Burbank, OK, and graduated in 1943. On January 24, 1947, Lela married the love of her life, Arthur “Art” R. Stewart and together they had one daughter, Janice.

Lela attended Northern Oklahoma College where she studied business. She retired from Conoco after working in Gas Accounting for many years. She played table tennis during lunch and won many tournaments. Lela also enjoyed bridge, tennis, dominoes, and various card games. Art was a square dance caller and they traveled to many square dances in nearby states. In later years she loved to bowl and travel with friends and family.

Lela was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved spending time with her family, especially her granddaughters, whether it be at home working puzzles or attending their band concerts. She loved to laugh and make people laugh. She loved meeting new people. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church.

Lela is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arthur; her brothers, Clarence “C.A.” Lieber and Philip Lieber; and her sister, Betty Swalley.

She is survived by her daughter, Janice and husband Jack Branstetter of Ponca City, OK; granddaughters, Kristen and husband Philip O’Hara of Fort Worth, TX, and Nicole Branstetter of Edmond, OK.

The family would like to thank the staff at Via Christi and Hospice of North Central Oklahoma for their wonderful care of Lela.

Memorial donations made be made in her name to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Source: Trout Funeral Home