Olive B Konkel

Jeanette Stewart's stepmother, and the only mother she really ever knew, was Olive Blanche Konkel. She was born May 24, 1894 in Colorado to Simeon Konkel of Ohio and Martha Ann Lasley of Iowa. They came from a strong family background of farming and frugality. More distant ancestors belonged to Mennonite congregations and the like.

Janice remembers "MaMaw Stewart" (sounds just like grandma) as being a no-nonsense sturdy woman. Breakfast was good and plentiful, but the children only got one pancake at a time so they didn't waste food.

Her death certificate attests she worked for 30 years as a teacher in the Fresno county elementry school districts. She last lived at 4132 West Point, North Highlands, California with her daughter, Jeanette, before she was taken to Hacienda Convalescent Hospital in Roseville. She passed away August 21, 1980 after gastric surgery and chronic anemia weakened her.

The group photo below was taken in 1955 and is "all" the Konkel children, grown up obviously, at a reunion.