Stewart Edward Calkins, 85, died Jan. 8, 2015, at Waukesha Memorial Hospital.
Stewart was born into the hands of old Doc. Dunn in Whitewater on July 28, 1929. Unfortunately, the good doctor was not known for his compassionate bedside manor and when the expectant parents, Edward and Mary Jane (Stewart) Calkins arrived at Doc’s little hospital he told Mary Jane, “Only a fool would have a baby on such a hot day,” and when Stewart was born he pronounced him “The homeliest damn baby he’s ever seen.”
Stewart was an only child. He grew up during the great economic depression of the 1930’s and World War II on the historic Knapp-Calkins farm near Palmyra which his pioneer grandparents, Albertus and Polly Knapp, bought from the government in 1844.
Stewart attended the local schools and graduated with the class of 1947 from Palmyra High School. He then went to the University of Wisconsin’s two year Agricultural Short Course. When Stewart was 24 his father died and he took charge of the family farm where he lived for the rest of his life.
He married Carol Pierce, a schoolmate and farm girl in Eagle Township, on May 6, 1955. They enjoyed 59 years together in the big brick Calkins home on Hwy 59 where they raised three daughters.
Stewart loved his family, his friends and his community and was always willing to help those in need. For example, he never complained during the many years he helped his mother-in-law, Clara Pierce, continue to live in her farm home until she was 98.
He was a lifelong member of the Palmyra United Methodist Church and its Men’s Club. He was a loyal member of the local Masonic Lodge for over 50 years, serving several times as Master. He also found time to serve on the Jefferson Co. ASCS Committee for 30 years, retiring in 1991.
Stewart served the Township of Palmyra for 40 years – 14 years as a supervisor and 26 years as Chairman, retiring in 2013. His motto was “Keep the township roads up and the people’s taxes down.”
Stewart and Carol belonged to several local Historical Societies and they were honored in 2001 as the Palmyra Old Settlers that year at the annual picnic in July. In 1990 he wrote a booklet for the Palmyra Historical Society titled “Room and Board and A Dollar a Day” that told of the many interesting hired men that worked on the Calkins farm during the 1930s and 1940s.
Stewart served as Treasurer for the local Hillside Cemetery Association, bowled for many years in Whitewater and in his later years could be found at the “House in the Woods” auctions near Eagle or having breakfast at the Edge of Town restaurant with his friends.
Stewart is survived by Carol, his wife of 59 years, three daughters: Nancy (Jon) Denzin, of Whitewater, Gayle (Tim) Beck, of Eagle Township and Mary Beth (Mark) Schmidt, of Palmyra Township; nine grandchildren, Erica (Erik) Allermann, Kyle, Kevin and Calab Denzin, Rachel (Paul Carnot), Betsy and Timmy Beck, and Tyler and Shawn Schmidt. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Mason and Austin Allermann.
Stewart will also be fondly remembered by several foster boys he treated as his own plus many other friends and relatives.
Stewart was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Mary Stewart Calkins (McClure); his step father William K. McClure; his wife’s parents, Charles and Clara (Howell) Pierce and a brother-in-law, Charles A. Pierce.
Visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 15 from 10 a.m. until the time of service at noon at the Haase Lockwood and Associates Funeral Home 320 W. Main St. Palmyra. The Rev. Pastor Karen Klatt will officiate with burial to follow at Hillside Cemetery, Palmyra.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions made to the Palmyra United Methodist Church or the Melendy’s Prairie Cemetery Association would be appreciated.
The family wishes to thank Stewart’s long time physician, Dr. Martin Kern, for his compassionate care and support. The family also wishes to thank his many excellent caregivers at Waukesha Memorial Hospital during his last illness.
Here’s to Dad…
A beautiful life that came to an end,
He died as he lived, everyone’s friend.
In our hearts a memory will always be kept of one we loved,
and will never forget.
