Larry H Stewart

Larry Halson Stewart, 88, died in Wichita Kansas on August 5, 2026. Born in Everton, Mo. on June 27th, 1938 to Merry Lee (Jack) Stewart and Mary Forrest (Mortimer) Stewart. The family moved to a farmstead near Bluff City, Kansas when Larry was two years of age. Larry attended school in Bluff City and graduated in the Class of 1956.

Throughout high school Larry worked on his aunt and uncle’s farm. His early to rise and work late into the night is where he received his “all work and little play attitude” for farming. In his early twenties, Larry was hit by a train on a foggy morning near Galveston, TX. and was drug two miles in the semi’s cab. Needless to say this was only a set back and just one of several he would encounter in his lifetime.

In May of 1960, Larry married Judith Ann Palmer and one daughter, Debra Ann, was born to this union. When the young family moved to the farm near Freeport, Kansas, Larry started farming with his father-in-law, Kenneth Palmer. Larry enjoyed cattle and always had fall steers and heifers. One of Deb’s fondest memories of her dad was helping round-up the cattle for the summer sale on horseback. Deb also enjoyed bird hunting with her dad and some of his closest friends. One of her least favorite things to do with her dad was plow. Larry was a very particular farmer and not plowing out the terraces and corners correctly could get you in big trouble! When you saw Larry’s John Deere tractors in the field they always had his backwards LS brand on them and were waxed to a high gloss and the tire rims were always painted a bright John Deere yellow.

In 1993, Larry married Kathleen Brown and added two stepdaughters to their family. Kathy was new to the farm life, but soon learned the life of a farmer’s wife. Together they survived a tornado that destroyed the farm at harvest time; just another mere setback Larry would overcome. Larry loved sports on TV and traveling to watch the grandkids sporting events, dining out and taking evening rides in the Gator. Larry and Kathy always enjoyed taking trips in the fall after the wheat had been drilled and was up.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents and one stepdaughter Shannon Vail. Survivors include: wife, Kathleen Brown of Clearwater; daughter: Debra (Greg) Gowing of Goddard and daughter: Anjanette (Rusty) Riggin of Wichita and son-in-law: Steve Vail. Grandchildren: Mack (Riley) Gowing, Callie Jo Gowing, Aubrey Owens, Kade Owens, Sarah, Tanner & Tyler Riggin. Great-grandchildren: Grant Gowing, Brynlee Dailey, Easton & Sedona Owens.

The family will greet friends and family from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 10th at Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E Main Street Anthony, Ks.

Private family graveside services will be held at a later date at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Bluff City, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Larry may be made directly payable to either Harper County Health Foundation, 485 N Hwy 2, Anthony, KS 67003 or Harper County EMS, 102 S. Pennsylvania, Anthony, KS 67003, and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.