Sheila A. (Verley) Stewart, 61, of Lincoln, died Jan. 30 at home after a three-year battle with lung cancer.
Stewart was born in 1964 to Stanley K. and Edna M. (Eby) Verley in St. Paul, Nebraska. She grew up in St. Paul and graduated as salutatorian from St. Paul High School in 1982. She earned a business administration degree from Doane College in 1986. Her career spanned 39 years working for Runza National, Nebraska Book Company and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
She served UNL’s business and finance division for more than a decade, holding several key financial roles. Her career included positions as financial specialist, accounts payable manager, financial project manager and, most recently, senior financial accountant, reflecting her steady growth and dedication to the university’s financial operations.
In February 2025, Stewart received a Kudos award from the NU Board of Regents for her expertise in handling accounting systems and overall excellence in customer service.
“Even more important is the extraordinary manner of her professionalism, collegiality, and commitment to a positive work environment, reducing misunderstandings and enhancing overall workflow,” wrote her nominator, Mike Zeleny, former vice chancellor for business and finance. “She’s a model colleague, supervisor and servant leader who has earned the trust of her colleagues.”
She married Donald D. Stewart of Newport, Nebraska, on Oct. 5, 1991, at St. Libory Catholic Church in St. Libory, Nebraska. They were married for 34 years and had four children.
Stewart’s greatest joy was her family. The couple gave their family the best of both worlds, living and raising the family in Lincoln while taking many trips to Newport to experience ranch life. She converted to the Catholic faith on Aug. 15, 1973, and enjoyed many volunteer opportunities the church offered, especially proclaiming the word as a reader. Her hobbies included cross-stitching, decorating, puzzles and scrapbooking.
She is survived by her husband, Don; four children — Kendra (Andrew) Dudasko of Overland Park, Kansas; Clayton (Lexy) of Kansas City, Kansas; Carson (Jessica) of Oceanside, California, while stationed at Camp Pendleton; and Chase (Paige) of Bassett, Nebraska; one granddaughter, Millie; sisters and brothers from St. Paul, Nebraska — Karen (Randy) Dvorak and Marc Verley; sister Marcia (Anthony) Newnum of Lincoln; brothers- and sisters-in-law Mary (Neil) Ammon, Dale (Janet) Stewart and Terry (Janet) Stewart; nieces Nicole (Reed) Goodrich, Alicia (Reed) Happ, Heather (Reed) Paulsen, Shelby Peitzmeier and Amber (Ammon) Miettinen; nephews Lucas Stewart, Ryan Stewart and Aaron Ammon; and several great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; sister Jana (Verley) Peitzmeier; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
