Bernell M. Steward

Bernell M. Steward, 89, of Missouri Valley, Iowa passed away Monday, October 13, 2025 at Azria Health Longview, Missouri Valley, Iowa.

A funeral service will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday, October 19, 2025 at the First Christian Church, Onawa, Iowa with Pastor Clif Cockburn, officiating. A live stream of the service will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with Bernell’s obituary. Burial will follow at the Graceland Cemetery, Blencoe, Iowa. A visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.

Bernell Markie Steward was born on March 28, 1936, rural Moorhead, Iowa, to Ernest and Dora (Gray) Steward. He attended Mann Country School near Moorhead and later Onawa High School. Bernell continued his education at a technical school, where he studied sheet metal work. Bernell spent many years working in the sheet metal workers union local 3 in Omaha. Before that, he was employed as a groundskeeper at the Omaha Country Club, where he took great pride in his work.

Bernell and Sinda Muir were united into marriage June 15, 1958 in Onawa at the First Christian Church.

He enjoyed coon hunting and coaching baseball and was a Nebraska Huskers Fan. Above all, Bernell loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, who brought him endless joy.

Bernell was a member of the Boyer Valley Hunt Club in Missouri Valley, where he served as both secretary and treasurer. He was an accomplished dog breeder and trainer, raising numerous Grand Knight Champion dogs, including exceptional coonhounds. Over the years, his passion and success in the field earned him many trophies and plaques.

Survivors include his wife, Sinda Steward of Missouri Valley, Iowa; children, Jaleena (Kevin) Hammond of Elk Horn, Nebraska, Karen (Jeff) Ferreira of Frankfort, Illinois, Rodney (Sally) Steward of Omaha, Nebraska, Linda (Dan) Doiel of Logan, Iowa; grandchildren, Brynn (Kaleb) Hale, Klayton Hammond, Robert Davis, Marc (Amber) Ferreira, Alexis Ferreira (Mike), Quinton Doiel, and Marissa (Daniel) Cox; six great-grandchildren; sister, Lois Adams of La Vista, Nebraska; brother, Norman (Donna) Steward of Omaha, Nebraska; sister, Bernice (George) Birk of Omaha, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Anna Mae Steward of Wadsworth, Ohio; former brother-in-law, Jerry Birk of Council Bluffs, Iowa; along with many nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Dora (Gray) Steward; parents-in-law, Don and Lois (Woodrow) Muir; granddaughter-in-law, Jenny Davis; brother, Bernard Steward; three sisters, Deloris Blake, Shirley Jenkins and Ardith Steward; and brothers-in-law, Russell Jenkins and Jim Adams.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com

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