Marjorie Suzanne Steward was born on October 24, 1925 to Leonard and Ruth Kriesel Youngquist, who farmed near Somerset, Wisconsin. Marjorie and her older brothers, Alan and Glen, attended country school and the Emmanuel German Lutheran Church until their parents purchased a farm near Stillwater, Minnesota. They also attended country school there before graduating from Stillwater High School. Visiting the Youngquist farm to buy fresh produce was known as a fine way for St. Paul residents to spend a Sunday afternoon. From an early age, Marjorie enjoyed farm animals and especially loved dogs and her pet rooster.
She graduated from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where she majored in Elementary Education, sang in the Lutheran Campus Church choir and ushered at Northrup Memorial Auditorium concerts. Marjorie met Roderick Steward, an entomology graduate student, at a Coffman Memorial Union ballroom dance. The reception following their 1947 wedding was held at the Youngquist farm. She was saved at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church and taught at Robbinsdale elementary school while Rod completed graduate school. They moved to Nevada, Iowa for Rod’s sales job in agricultural chemicals. They attended University Baptist Church in Ames until a business opportunity led them to found Steward Farm Chemicals in Mason City, Iowa. They helped grow Grace Baptist Church there and helped establish Clear Lake Baptist Church. When business conditions changed, Rod, Marjorie and their four sons moved to Cokato, Minnesota as the central location for his work as a barn equipment salesman.
After an industrial accident ended Rod’s agricultural sales career, Marjorie returned to work as a Cokato Elementary School first and second grade schoolteacher. She also accompanied the First Baptist Church choir as organist for several years and taught Sunday school classes. Most summers included visits to the family’s Northwoods lake cabin but only after gardening tasks had been completed and the garden was in good order. Marjorie retired from teaching after 20+ years, leaving a host of Cokato students who received excellent grounding in reading, writing and arithmetic as well as a good example in manners, politeness and respect for others.
Marjorie/Mom passed into her eternal rest and joy with the Lord she faithfully served on October 10, 2023. We thank God that her last moments on this earth at Lakeside before her heavenly homegoing were peaceful. We treasure her unwavering Bible study, faith in God, dry sense of humor and dedication to her family. We are thankful to God for her many gifts, always cheerful spirit, love of music, flowers and learning. She was steadfast in testifying to God’s faithfulness and goodness in all things – including the trials He saw her through as His faithful child. We rejoice that she has entered into the rest and eternal life of joy promised to those who accept the salvation that is only available through Jesus Christ.
Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents Leonard and Ruth Youngquist, brothers Allan and Glen Youngquist, husband Roderick, daughter-in-law Shelley, great-grandson William and nephew Steve Youngquist. She is survived by her four sons Mark/Lori, Tom/Colleen, Dan/Ann and John, nephew Eric Youngquist, 16 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be sent in her name to her favorite organization, The Voice of the Martyrs.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 19, 2023 with visitation 1 hour prior to services at the First Baptist Church of Cokato. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, MN 320-286-2534 www.swansonpeterson.com
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