August 09 Madalynn Mae Stewart
Madalynn Mae Stewart was born on December 31, 2003, at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. Madalynn was welcomed home by her parents Kevin and Julie (Graff) Stewart and her older sister, Samantha Ann Stewart. Six years later, Madalynn was blessed with her little sister, Danielle Lynn Stewart.
Madalynn was a loving daughter, sister, grand-daughter, and friend. Maddie grew up full of life, enjoying her time here to the fullest. She was a multi-sport athlete and was a fierce competitor. Maddie was always the first to leave the house in the morning and the last to come home at night due to all her activities she was involved with at Mt. Ayr High School. Maddie was actively involved with Basketball, Softball, Volleyball, Track, Sparks Dance Team, and was a Football Cheerleader throughout her high school career. She was named 2nd Team Defensive Specialist and an All-Conference Volleyball player. Basketball was her favorite sport, and she received many top honors. She was named All-Conference 2nd Team and was selected to play in three All-Star games her senior year including the IGCA, KMA and IBCA Pizza Ranch games. She was the high scorer in the IGCA All-Star game. Maddie’s Softball team placed 3rd at the 2019 State Softball Tournament and qualified again in 2020. She qualified for the State Track Meet multiple years and in 2022 placed 11th in Shuttle Hurdles. Maddie was a member of the Iowa All-State Dance team and performed at the 4A State Basketball Tournament. She was inducted into the National Honor Society and IATC All Academic All-State honors. Maddie was crowned Homecoming Queen in 2021 and was the Ringgold County Rodeo Queen in 2022. Maddie graduated from Mt. Ayr High School in 2022, with a 4.0 GPA.
Maddie continued her education at SWCC to pursue her passion for caring for others by enrolling in the Nursing Program. She made the Dean’s Honor List her Spring Semester. Maddie was a member of the SWCC Basketball Team under Coach D. and joined the SWCC Dazzler’s Dance Team where she met many new friends and became especially close to Cassidy and Ella, while continuing her life-long friendship with Halsie.
Maddie will forever be remembered as outgoing and open to adventures. She had an infectious smile and a willingness to give. She loved big, always giving hugs and caring about others. She brought energy and light to everyone and lived in the moment. Maddie loved being with her friends but had a big heart for her family and her sisters. She was known for her thumbs-up pictures, playing pranks, and loved making tik-toks with her sisters and friends. She enjoyed riding horses, fishing, and camping with family and friends. Through her experiences in life, she gained much love and faith for her Lord and Savior Jesus. During the summer of 2019, she made the decision to be baptized, along with her sisters, by Grandpa Bart.
Maddie passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2023, at MercyOne Hospital in Des Moines, IA as the result of a car accident with her family by her side. Welcoming her to heaven was Grandpa Dan Stewart and cousins Lana and Jillian Graff.
Those left to forever remember her include her parents Josh & Julie Shields and Kevin & Ashley Stewart; sisters Samantha, Dannie, Quincy, Allie (Regan) Meyer, Kelcie Shields, Mackenzie (Brayden Swank) Shields, & Kaylie Shields; grandparents Lila Stewart, Robert & Joline Graff, Barton Shields, Betty Gordon; aunts, uncles, & cousins; Rick (Liz), Jordan (Ranae), Jensen, Kendra & Kesia Stewart; James, Lory & Skylyr Stewart; Darcy, Michael & Kayla Mckown; Philip, Hannah, Vaughn, Reagan, Juliana & Isaiah Graff; Andrea (Jason Jura) and Alex Steffens, Christy Still, Macey Bowen, Trevor & Mady Gooding; Vince & Lanette Schaller; Brooke Hartsook (Gabe Looney); Cole Hartsook; Brett & Debbie Yoder, many extended aunts, uncles, & cousins and a world of friends.
Services were held at the Mount Ayr High School Gymnasium on Monday, August 7 at 2:00 p.m. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery. Memorials are in her name to be decided later. Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.
