Our mother, Virginia Rickenbach Stewart, passed away peacefully in her home 10 March 2021 from congestive heart failure.  She was 1 month away from turning 96 years old.  Virginia was born to Joseph and Vera Magleby Rickenback on 17 April 1925 in Monroe, Utah.

She spent her childhood years in Austin and Monroe, Utah.  She went to Richfield High School and graduated in 1943.  She then went on to Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in Home Economics.  Just before she graduated she married Wayne Clark Stewart on 22 November 1946 in the Salt Lake Temple.  Clark and Virginia had four children – Stephanie, Laurie, Rodney, and Steven.

Virginia had a glorious teaching career and influenced many students.  She taught for 2 years in Porterville, CA and for 28 years in Nebo school district at Spanish Fork High School.  She taught sewing, foods, home living, psychology, and family life.  She started a foods class for boys.  She was best known for starting the first program in the state for unwed mothers.  She was honored as Utah’s Vocational Home Economics Teacher of the year in 1980 and 1985.  Virginia said in a letter to the class of 1973 “I loved teaching the students at Spanish Fork High School.  They are the best in the nation.  One of my greatest contributions was loving my students and loving being in the classroom”.

Virginia is survived by 3 children and a son-in-law. Stephanie (Dale) Linton of Bountiful, Utah; Rodney (Ann) Stewart of Johnston, South Carolina, Steven (Jeanee) Stewart of Mapleton, Utah; and Gary Burns of Friday Harbor, Washington.  She also leaves behind 9 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.  Preceding her in death were her husband, Clark Stewart and her daughter, Laurie Stewart Burns.

A public visitation will be held Wednesday, March 17, 2021, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork.  Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Walker Funeral Home with a public visitation prior from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.

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