Jay David Stewart, 78, of Polk City, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2017 at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center.
A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2017 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care in Polk City. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care in Polk City. A private burial will take place at a later date.
Jay David Stewart was born October 8th in 1938 in the small town of Casey, Iowa to Kenneth and Dorothy (Erb) Stewart. He was the youngest of three boys preceded by Jack Ellsworth, and Jerry Clyde. He grew up on a farm in DeSoto, Iowa where he attended Elementary and High School. After high school Jay had earned a full academic scholarship to Drake University where he planned to get a degree in accounting.
He took a job with American Abstract Company two weeks before he graduated high school. It was to be a summer job to pay off the loan for his 1957 Chevy. Part of the reason he was brought on, was due to his typing prowess, he was recommended by his typing teacher. Jay was able to type 120 words per minute, and that was on an old manual typewriter. Surprisingly, the transition to an electric typewriter was actually not that smooth, but eventually he was able to type 180 words per minute. Jay got used to the steady income and decided to forgo college. He slowly worked his way up the ranks until he ended up buying the company in the late 70's and became President and Secretary. Later he was elected to President of the Iowa Land and Title association (ILTA) in the late 1980's and went on to become President of the American Land and Title association (ALTA) in 1990. He sold the company in 2000 but continued to work there as an advisor for the next few years. Jay was so involved in the abstract community his friend Gene nicknamed him "Mr. Abstract, there will never be another."
Jay met Ruth Elaine Trecek in the spring of 1960 on a blind date. After a whirlwind romance, they were married on April 8, 1961 and went on to have 4 children, Mike born in 1962, Sheri born in 1964, Jeff born in 1966, and Dan born in 1970.
In 1977 they moved from Des Moines to Polk City into a fixer upper on a small acreage (which they remodeled twice, and then tore down to build new) where they remained. Mike married Cari in 1984, and presented them with their first grandchild, Joe, in 1988. Joe's brother Josh arrived in 1991. Sheri married Barry in 1992, they had two children, Connor in 1992 and Hannah in 1994. Jeff was married in 1989 to Terri and produced Drew in 1991, Logan in 1993, and Drake in 1996. Jeff also has another daughter Rylee born in 2006. Dan married Christine in 2002, Samantha was born in 2003, and Sophia in 2006. Joe went on to marry Lindsey in 2011. They provided the first three great grandchildren; Tenley, Korver, and Hayden. Drew married Katie in 2016 and the fourth great grandchild is due in January.
Jay had many hobbies over the years; golfing, card playing (sometimes even for money), bowling, softball, boating, snowmobiling to mention a few. He also enjoyed playing the guitar and was an avid poet and song writer. Most of the songs he wrote were covers of other songs but he would rework the lyrics and personalize it for friends and family. He wrote the poem "Now is the Time" when his father passed in 1975. (It is included in this handout) Jay always had a boat of one size or another and truly enjoyed being out on the water. It was convenient having two lakes nearby, but he would also tow it to Kansas for annual camping trips and up to Clear Lake for the years that he and Ruth rented a cabin on the lake, next door to their dear friends Gene and Ethel Stanbrough, among others.
Jay also enjoyed travel. There were the numerous trips to Agenda, Kansas every year to visit Ruth's family, but when the kids were younger there was an annual family vacation. They drove back and forth across the country visiting such various places as Niagara falls, the Grand canyon, and Mt Rushmore, to name a few. Additionally, there were numerous winter hockey trips for the traveling teams. As the size of the family grew, so did the size of the vehicle, eventually purchasing an RV to accommodate everyone. During his tenure as president of ALTA he was required to attend the national conventions and would fly to various cities like New Orleans, Philadelphia and San Francisco (where he and Ruth happened to be in 1989 when the earthquake hit.)
Jay believed in giving back to his community. He was involved with several different organizations over the years. He belonged to the Masons, SERTOMA (service to mankind), and Kiwanis. He served as president for the Polk City chapter of Kiwanis.
Jay is preceded in death by both of his parents, both of his brothers Jack and Jerry, his wife's parents Louis and Mildred Trecek, sister-in-law Anita Houdek, brother-in-law Duane Trecek, niece Amanda Trecek, granddaughter Logan, daughter-in-law Christine.
Jay was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and husband who set a wonderful example for his family. He was caring and generous to everyone he met.
Obituary & photo published by Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care in Polk City.
A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2017 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care in Polk City. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care in Polk City. A private burial will take place at a later date.
Jay David Stewart was born October 8th in 1938 in the small town of Casey, Iowa to Kenneth and Dorothy (Erb) Stewart. He was the youngest of three boys preceded by Jack Ellsworth, and Jerry Clyde. He grew up on a farm in DeSoto, Iowa where he attended Elementary and High School. After high school Jay had earned a full academic scholarship to Drake University where he planned to get a degree in accounting.
He took a job with American Abstract Company two weeks before he graduated high school. It was to be a summer job to pay off the loan for his 1957 Chevy. Part of the reason he was brought on, was due to his typing prowess, he was recommended by his typing teacher. Jay was able to type 120 words per minute, and that was on an old manual typewriter. Surprisingly, the transition to an electric typewriter was actually not that smooth, but eventually he was able to type 180 words per minute. Jay got used to the steady income and decided to forgo college. He slowly worked his way up the ranks until he ended up buying the company in the late 70's and became President and Secretary. Later he was elected to President of the Iowa Land and Title association (ILTA) in the late 1980's and went on to become President of the American Land and Title association (ALTA) in 1990. He sold the company in 2000 but continued to work there as an advisor for the next few years. Jay was so involved in the abstract community his friend Gene nicknamed him "Mr. Abstract, there will never be another."
Jay met Ruth Elaine Trecek in the spring of 1960 on a blind date. After a whirlwind romance, they were married on April 8, 1961 and went on to have 4 children, Mike born in 1962, Sheri born in 1964, Jeff born in 1966, and Dan born in 1970.
In 1977 they moved from Des Moines to Polk City into a fixer upper on a small acreage (which they remodeled twice, and then tore down to build new) where they remained. Mike married Cari in 1984, and presented them with their first grandchild, Joe, in 1988. Joe's brother Josh arrived in 1991. Sheri married Barry in 1992, they had two children, Connor in 1992 and Hannah in 1994. Jeff was married in 1989 to Terri and produced Drew in 1991, Logan in 1993, and Drake in 1996. Jeff also has another daughter Rylee born in 2006. Dan married Christine in 2002, Samantha was born in 2003, and Sophia in 2006. Joe went on to marry Lindsey in 2011. They provided the first three great grandchildren; Tenley, Korver, and Hayden. Drew married Katie in 2016 and the fourth great grandchild is due in January.
Jay had many hobbies over the years; golfing, card playing (sometimes even for money), bowling, softball, boating, snowmobiling to mention a few. He also enjoyed playing the guitar and was an avid poet and song writer. Most of the songs he wrote were covers of other songs but he would rework the lyrics and personalize it for friends and family. He wrote the poem "Now is the Time" when his father passed in 1975. (It is included in this handout) Jay always had a boat of one size or another and truly enjoyed being out on the water. It was convenient having two lakes nearby, but he would also tow it to Kansas for annual camping trips and up to Clear Lake for the years that he and Ruth rented a cabin on the lake, next door to their dear friends Gene and Ethel Stanbrough, among others.
Jay also enjoyed travel. There were the numerous trips to Agenda, Kansas every year to visit Ruth's family, but when the kids were younger there was an annual family vacation. They drove back and forth across the country visiting such various places as Niagara falls, the Grand canyon, and Mt Rushmore, to name a few. Additionally, there were numerous winter hockey trips for the traveling teams. As the size of the family grew, so did the size of the vehicle, eventually purchasing an RV to accommodate everyone. During his tenure as president of ALTA he was required to attend the national conventions and would fly to various cities like New Orleans, Philadelphia and San Francisco (where he and Ruth happened to be in 1989 when the earthquake hit.)
Jay believed in giving back to his community. He was involved with several different organizations over the years. He belonged to the Masons, SERTOMA (service to mankind), and Kiwanis. He served as president for the Polk City chapter of Kiwanis.
Jay is preceded in death by both of his parents, both of his brothers Jack and Jerry, his wife's parents Louis and Mildred Trecek, sister-in-law Anita Houdek, brother-in-law Duane Trecek, niece Amanda Trecek, granddaughter Logan, daughter-in-law Christine.
Jay was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and husband who set a wonderful example for his family. He was caring and generous to everyone he met.
Obituary & photo published by Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care in Polk City.
Jay David Stewart, 78, of Polk City, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2017 at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center.
A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2017 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care in Polk City. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care in Polk City. A private burial will take place at a later date.
Jay David Stewart was born October 8th in 1938 in the small town of Casey, Iowa to Kenneth and Dorothy (Erb) Stewart. He was the youngest of three boys preceded by Jack Ellsworth, and Jerry Clyde. He grew up on a farm in DeSoto, Iowa where he attended Elementary and High School. After high school Jay had earned a full academic scholarship to Drake University where he planned to get a degree in accounting.
He took a job with American Abstract Company two weeks before he graduated high school. It was to be a summer job to pay off the loan for his 1957 Chevy. Part of the reason he was brought on, was due to his typing prowess, he was recommended by his typing teacher. Jay was able to type 120 words per minute, and that was on an old manual typewriter. Surprisingly, the transition to an electric typewriter was actually not that smooth, but eventually he was able to type 180 words per minute. Jay got used to the steady income and decided to forgo college. He slowly worked his way up the ranks until he ended up buying the company in the late 70's and became President and Secretary. Later he was elected to President of the Iowa Land and Title association (ILTA) in the late 1980's and went on to become President of the American Land and Title association (ALTA) in 1990. He sold the company in 2000 but continued to work there as an advisor for the next few years. Jay was so involved in the abstract community his friend Gene nicknamed him "Mr. Abstract, there will never be another."
Jay met Ruth Elaine Trecek in the spring of 1960 on a blind date. After a whirlwind romance, they were married on April 8, 1961 and went on to have 4 children, Mike born in 1962, Sheri born in 1964, Jeff born in 1966, and Dan born in 1970.
In 1977 they moved from Des Moines to Polk City into a fixer upper on a small acreage (which they remodeled twice, and then tore down to build new) where they remained. Mike married Cari in 1984, and presented them with their first grandchild, Joe, in 1988. Joe's brother Josh arrived in 1991. Sheri married Barry in 1992, they had two children, Connor in 1992 and Hannah in 1994. Jeff was married in 1989 to Terri and produced Drew in 1991, Logan in 1993, and Drake in 1996. Jeff also has another daughter Rylee born in 2006. Dan married Christine in 2002, Samantha was born in 2003, and Sophia in 2006. Joe went on to marry Lindsey in 2011. They provided the first three great grandchildren; Tenley, Korver, and Hayden. Drew married Katie in 2016 and the fourth great grandchild is due in January.
Jay had many hobbies over the years; golfing, card playing (sometimes even for money), bowling, softball, boating, snowmobiling to mention a few. He also enjoyed playing the guitar and was an avid poet and song writer. Most of the songs he wrote were covers of other songs but he would rework the lyrics and personalize it for friends and family. He wrote the poem "Now is the Time" when his father passed in 1975. (It is included in this handout) Jay always had a boat of one size or another and truly enjoyed being out on the water. It was convenient having two lakes nearby, but he would also tow it to Kansas for annual camping trips and up to Clear Lake for the years that he and Ruth rented a cabin on the lake, next door to their dear friends Gene and Ethel Stanbrough, among others.
Jay also enjoyed travel. There were the numerous trips to Agenda, Kansas every year to visit Ruth's family, but when the kids were younger there was an annual family vacation. They drove back and forth across the country visiting such various places as Niagara falls, the Grand canyon, and Mt Rushmore, to name a few. Additionally, there were numerous winter hockey trips for the traveling teams. As the size of the family grew, so did the size of the vehicle, eventually purchasing an RV to accommodate everyone. During his tenure as president of ALTA he was required to attend the national conventions and would fly to various cities like New Orleans, Philadelphia and San Francisco (where he and Ruth happened to be in 1989 when the earthquake hit.)
Jay believed in giving back to his community. He was involved with several different organizations over the years. He belonged to the Masons, SERTOMA (service to mankind), and Kiwanis. He served as president for the Polk City chapter of Kiwanis.
Jay is preceded in death by both of his parents, both of his brothers Jack and Jerry, his wife's parents Louis and Mildred Trecek, sister-in-law Anita Houdek, brother-in-law Duane Trecek, niece Amanda Trecek, granddaughter Logan, daughter-in-law Christine.
Jay was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and husband who set a wonderful example for his family. He was caring and generous to everyone he met.
Obituary & photo published by Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care in Polk City.
A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2017 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care in Polk City. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care in Polk City. A private burial will take place at a later date.
Jay David Stewart was born October 8th in 1938 in the small town of Casey, Iowa to Kenneth and Dorothy (Erb) Stewart. He was the youngest of three boys preceded by Jack Ellsworth, and Jerry Clyde. He grew up on a farm in DeSoto, Iowa where he attended Elementary and High School. After high school Jay had earned a full academic scholarship to Drake University where he planned to get a degree in accounting.
He took a job with American Abstract Company two weeks before he graduated high school. It was to be a summer job to pay off the loan for his 1957 Chevy. Part of the reason he was brought on, was due to his typing prowess, he was recommended by his typing teacher. Jay was able to type 120 words per minute, and that was on an old manual typewriter. Surprisingly, the transition to an electric typewriter was actually not that smooth, but eventually he was able to type 180 words per minute. Jay got used to the steady income and decided to forgo college. He slowly worked his way up the ranks until he ended up buying the company in the late 70's and became President and Secretary. Later he was elected to President of the Iowa Land and Title association (ILTA) in the late 1980's and went on to become President of the American Land and Title association (ALTA) in 1990. He sold the company in 2000 but continued to work there as an advisor for the next few years. Jay was so involved in the abstract community his friend Gene nicknamed him "Mr. Abstract, there will never be another."
Jay met Ruth Elaine Trecek in the spring of 1960 on a blind date. After a whirlwind romance, they were married on April 8, 1961 and went on to have 4 children, Mike born in 1962, Sheri born in 1964, Jeff born in 1966, and Dan born in 1970.
In 1977 they moved from Des Moines to Polk City into a fixer upper on a small acreage (which they remodeled twice, and then tore down to build new) where they remained. Mike married Cari in 1984, and presented them with their first grandchild, Joe, in 1988. Joe's brother Josh arrived in 1991. Sheri married Barry in 1992, they had two children, Connor in 1992 and Hannah in 1994. Jeff was married in 1989 to Terri and produced Drew in 1991, Logan in 1993, and Drake in 1996. Jeff also has another daughter Rylee born in 2006. Dan married Christine in 2002, Samantha was born in 2003, and Sophia in 2006. Joe went on to marry Lindsey in 2011. They provided the first three great grandchildren; Tenley, Korver, and Hayden. Drew married Katie in 2016 and the fourth great grandchild is due in January.
Jay had many hobbies over the years; golfing, card playing (sometimes even for money), bowling, softball, boating, snowmobiling to mention a few. He also enjoyed playing the guitar and was an avid poet and song writer. Most of the songs he wrote were covers of other songs but he would rework the lyrics and personalize it for friends and family. He wrote the poem "Now is the Time" when his father passed in 1975. (It is included in this handout) Jay always had a boat of one size or another and truly enjoyed being out on the water. It was convenient having two lakes nearby, but he would also tow it to Kansas for annual camping trips and up to Clear Lake for the years that he and Ruth rented a cabin on the lake, next door to their dear friends Gene and Ethel Stanbrough, among others.
Jay also enjoyed travel. There were the numerous trips to Agenda, Kansas every year to visit Ruth's family, but when the kids were younger there was an annual family vacation. They drove back and forth across the country visiting such various places as Niagara falls, the Grand canyon, and Mt Rushmore, to name a few. Additionally, there were numerous winter hockey trips for the traveling teams. As the size of the family grew, so did the size of the vehicle, eventually purchasing an RV to accommodate everyone. During his tenure as president of ALTA he was required to attend the national conventions and would fly to various cities like New Orleans, Philadelphia and San Francisco (where he and Ruth happened to be in 1989 when the earthquake hit.)
Jay believed in giving back to his community. He was involved with several different organizations over the years. He belonged to the Masons, SERTOMA (service to mankind), and Kiwanis. He served as president for the Polk City chapter of Kiwanis.
Jay is preceded in death by both of his parents, both of his brothers Jack and Jerry, his wife's parents Louis and Mildred Trecek, sister-in-law Anita Houdek, brother-in-law Duane Trecek, niece Amanda Trecek, granddaughter Logan, daughter-in-law Christine.
Jay was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and husband who set a wonderful example for his family. He was caring and generous to everyone he met.
Obituary & photo published by Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care in Polk City.
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