Beatrice E. Stewart passed away peacefully  surrounded by her family on Thursday evening November 27, at the Mayo Clinic- St. Marys Hospital after a brief illness.

Beatrice (Bix) was born August 11, 1931 to Bernard and Veronica Engelen in Springfield, Minnesota.  She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the College of St. Teresa, Winona, Minnesota and received her training at St. Marys Hospital, Rochester, where she met the love of her life Harold (Stu) Stewart.  Bix and Stu were united in marriage on December 26, 1953 at St. Raphael's Church in Springfield. They became parents to five daughters. Rochelle (Frank) Kozera of Rochester, Suzanne (John) Owens of Fairfax, Virginia, Nanette (Ignacio) Escobedo of Rochester, Jeanne (Ian) Bald of Placerville, Colorado, and Renee (David) Stewart-Hester of Chanhassen, Minnesota.

During their life together, they lived in many parts of the country, including Washington D.C., Clinton, Iowa, Cooperstown and Cortland, New York and finally settled in Rochester in 1962. Bix's primary focus was raising her children, but she also performed hospital and private duty nursing in the early years of her marriage. She was a Child Growth and Development instructor for the St. Marys School of Nursing Program. Later in life, she found a passion in volunteering and working at the Rochester Public Library, eventually serving as the Chairwoman on the Board of Directors. One her proud accomplishments was hosting a local televised children's reading program titled "Bibbidi Bobbidi Book," promoting children's literacy.

She was a committed volunteer for various groups including; St. Francis of Assisi School (library) and the Environment Ministry for the church. Bix was a member of the Lake Hubert Ladies Association. Bix had a love of shopping with her daughters and grandchildren, growing and arranging flowers, painting, antiquing, swimming, participating in bridge groups, talking with family and friends, and especially spending summers at her beloved Lake Hubert (Nisswa, Minnesota) summer home.

She will be remembered for her humor, her devotion to family and her Catholic faith.She is survived by her husband Stu of 61 years, her five daughters, and 11 grandchildren: Megan (Jon) Cooper, Devon (Joshua) Yocom, Thomas (Araina) Owens, Katie (fiancee Eric) Owens, Stephanie and Andrew Escobedo, Sylvan Bald, Patrick, Teddy, Spencer, Melanie Stewart-Hester. and three great-grandchildren: Madison, Peyton and Wesley.Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 30 in River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, Rochester, Minnesota and one hour before to the service Monday at the church.

The funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 1 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Rochester, Minnesota with Rev. Mark McNea officiating . A luncheon will follow.The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to St. Francis of Assisi School or the Rochester Public Library. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com