Memorial

Karen Ann Stewart, 87, née Rebholz, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. She will be remembered for the care she gave as a nurse, loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Details will be announced once arrangements are finalized. Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Karen was born on October 21,1939, in Waverly, Iowa, to James Howard Rebholz and Berdeen Ann Stuffelbeam. After earning her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Iowa, she became a registered nurse and worked in several hospitals in different specialized areas during her career, such as Telemetry, Acute Cardiac Care, and IV Therapy. During her time at St Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, she helped to develop and establish the hospital’s PICC line program, which became the hospital’s standard practice in IV care.

Karen married Richard Alexander in Chicago 1961. Later, in Cedar Rapids, she married Robert Monroe in 2006, and Charles M Stewart in 2016.

At First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids, Karen sang in the Chancel Choir, played in the Bell Choir, and served for several years as the Choir Librarian. She reached out to the wider community through her work in the church’s Thrift Shop and her caring outreach work with the Deacons. An avid and talented seamstress, she made costumes for the children’s Christmas pageants, sewed clothing for the Presbytery’s partnership with Brazil, in addition to the quilts, clothing, and fabric arts she created for her friends and family throughout her life. Her church family will miss the generosity and dedication she brought to her service in helping people through the church.

Karen enjoyed and excelled in cooking, sewing, and quilting. She enjoyed reading, as well as playing bridge and mahjong with friends. She loved traveling, especially in the Southwest United States and abroad. Karen was also involved in the PEO organization and affiliated with professional nursing associations.

Karen is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James Howard and Carole Rebholz. She leaves behind three daughters, Lisa Alexander, Lauren Savell, son-in-law Randy Savell, and Lynda Meunier, and stepchildren John and Cindy Monroe, Susan Baker, and David and Alyssa Stewart. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Russell James and wife, Maria Wildey, Kayla Ann Savell, Rachel and husband Hunter Siddons, Emile Meunier, Lucien Meunier, Benjamin and wife, Siri Baker, Emily and husband, Will Gislason, Kristin, Andrew and Scott Monroe, as well as many beloved great-grandchildren.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband’s Richard Alexander, Robert Monroe, and Charles M Stewart, and by her sister, Maryann “Mimi” Marburger. The family is grateful to Suncrest Hospice and Amada Home Care for the compassionate care they gave Karen.

The family is grateful to Suncrest Hospice and Amada Home Care for the compassionate care they gave Karen.

Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.