Douglas Stewart, age 69, of St. John, ND passed away on Friday, December 15, 2023.

Douglas Lee Stewart, son of Roy Stewart and Jessie (James) Stewart was born in Rolla on August 13th, 1954. He was raised and lived most of his life in St. John, a community he truly loved.

Doug met the love of his life Ellen Overby while in high school and they united in marriage on October 19th, 1973. They started their lives together in Dunseith where Doug worked as a mechanic at Dales and also was a jockey for Mike Nelson. In June 1974 they welcomed their first daughter Danielle into their lives. Doug, Ellen and Dani moved to Williston in 1976 where Doug worked in a salt plant, then the lumber yard before starting on the oil rigs with his brothers Duane and Glen. While working on the oil rig he also managed and maintained the trailer court the family resided in. In November 1977 during Doug's favorite time of the year, Whitetail deer hunting season they welcomed their only son Scott into the family followed a short 15 months later with the baby, Pam.

The family moved back to St. John in 1983 where Doug and his cousin Rusty Cain started a business of building Pole Barns during this time Doug was also working on clearing his homestead where his farm currently resides. Doug started working for Hulstrand Construction with brothers Richard, Jerry & Mike. On the off season he worked on the Bryant farm. In 1985, Vickie Odegard was the first of many "extra's" to reside at Doug and Ellens. In 1991, Doug and Ellen lost their home to a fire and Doug stopped working over the road and became the blade man for Rolette County. He was a bus driver for the St. John school, and worked for Laducer Sanitation.

Doug was involved in many things through his life, most often related to helping and teaching his kids and community kids. He wanted his kids to be involved in 4H so he and Rusty created Northern Lights 4H club that Dani took over in much later years to keep the Grandsons involved. He was so proud to become a Grandpa in 1995 to Austin and in 1996 to Hunter, then the 3 "little boys" came along in 2009, 2010 & 2011 perfectly rounded out by finally getting a Granddaughter in 2015.

Doug was the fire chief for the St. John fire department for many years and an active member of the First responders. He was a proud member of the Draft Horse Association, was a youth archery instructor, member of the St. John City celebration committee. He was a great sportsman and one hell of a shot. In early years he would spend time reading westerns, making Artex paintings with Ellen, photography and watching western movies.

Doug will forever be missed by his children; Dani, Pam & Scott, grandchildren; Austin, Hunter (June), Brody, Julius, DJ, Nolan, Jade & Eva, Siblings; Carol Bonn, Lois Lowrimore, Nancy & Mike Hanlan, Ann Bonn & Kenny Stewart. In-laws; Carol & Butch Davis, Gail & Shorty Belisle, Kay & Bob Leonard, Debbie & Steve Baker, Kathie & LaVerne Prouty, Ed & Lu Overby, Duane Overby, John Overby and Jerry Overby. Countless nieces & nephews, cousins, neighbors & friends.

Meeting him at heavens gates with a fresh batch of monster cookies was his loving wife, Ellen. Also greeting him were his parents, Jessie & Roy and Mildred & Rusty, siblings; Jerry, Clifford, Dorothy, Evie & Bill, Boogie, Harold, Glen, Alvin & Dawn.

Casket bearers are; Dylan Stewart, Michael Hanlan, Mike Hanlan, Keith Baker, Peno Schroeder, Rusty Cain, Leo Cross & Tony Davis. Honorary bearers are his beloved Grandchildren; Austin, Hunter, Brody, Julius, DJ, Nolan, Jade & Eva and St. John Woodchucks, past, present & future.

The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to all who have called, visited, messaged, helped in each and every way. Your kindness and generosity are appreciated and will never be forgotten. It helps our hearts greatly to know that our City at the end of the Rainbow and beyond loved and respected our Dad so much.

Services will be held on Friday, December 22nd, 2023 at the "old gym" in St. John, visitation beginning at 1pm with funeral at 3pm, burial at the St. John cemetery followed by a meal back at the gym. Dave Schnackenberg officiating.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.