Christine Stewart

Christine Lee Stewart, 38, passed away unexpectedly Monday, August 1, 2011, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. She was born November 21, 1972, in Ames, Iowa to Michael and Arleen (Kleinsmith) Schaefer.

Christine graduated from Ankeny High School and received a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from William Penn University. She worked at Principal Financial for many years starting at the bottom and working her way up the corporate ladder. Following the birth of Samantha, Christine changed her priorities and became a full time homemaker. She was totally devoted to her precious daughter and then her second, Sophia. The girls and Dan were her focus and the most important thing in her life.

Christine was creative and artistic and loved making jewelry from an endless supply of buttons supplied by Grandma Phyllis. She also made custom wineglass charms from old scrabble tiles. She turned this into her own successful on-line business called “B’Bye-Butterfly”. She enjoyed playing the guitar and was trying to teach the girls, when they would let her. She had a love for music and brought this passion to the children who loved her. She had a way of relating to kids, and always took time to talk to them one on one. Her heartfelt and handmade gifts were cherished by them.

She also loved flowers and gardening and created a beautiful yard for her family to enjoy. Christine was a compassionate, loving person who was always ready to be there for friends and family in need. She was much loved and will be missed by many.

Christine is survived by her loving husband, Dan; daughters, Samantha and Sophia; father, Mike (Roma) Schaefer; grandmother, Phyllis Schaefer; sister, Sue (Jeremy) Kasperbauer and their children, Rachel and Kayla; brother, Jim Schaefer; step-sister, Kristin (Forrest)Guddall and their children, Sam and Grace; step-brother, Jason Mueller; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jay and Ruth Stewart; as well as other loving relatives and many special friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Arleen; and grandparents, Dell Schaefer, Thyra and Harold Kleinsmith.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Friday, August 5, 2011, at Hamilton's near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, with burial to follow at Pine Hill Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, August 4, 2011, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family to establish college funds for her daughters.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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