Cloteel Riggs Stewart

Cloteel Cecelia Riggs Stewart passed away peacefully and valiantly on Christmas morning, Dec. 25, 2005, her favorite day of the year. She was born January 24, 1924 to Alma LaVern and Dora Marie Winborg Riggs in Nibley, Utah where she had many happy years growing up on the family farm. She is survived by one brother, Laverne Riggs, Nibley, Utah and was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Hansen and Velma Douglass. Cloteel graduated from South Cache High School where she participated in the school band competitions, activities and developed her love of music. She attended Utah State Agricultural College and worked at USU in Purchasing as Secretary and Cashier.
Mutual friends introduced Clyde and Cloteel while both were working at Utah State University. They were married in the Logan LDS Temple on July 15, 1954 and then moved to Bozeman, Montana where Clyde was stationed with USDA on the Montana State University campus. They later moved back to Logan where they have lived the remainder of their lives. They have been married 51 years and recently celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with family members.
From the age of eight she became a proficient pianist. At a very young age she played for church congregations, taught piano, organ and accordion lessons. She served as a musical entertainer at Bushnell Hospital during World War II entertaining many troops. Over her lifetime she served in many community organizations as well as for the LDS church. In the community she supported Clyde for over 40 years in the Kiwanis organization where she was President of Kiwanianns. She loved to read and was an active member of Booklore and the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. She was also an advocate of the Heart and Cancer Foundations as well as serving many years on the local PTA boards.
Cloteel was an active member of the 18th Ward in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved serving and spent many years as ward and stake organist. She was a teacher, secretary and president of the Ward and Stake Primary and Relief Society organizations. She accompanied innumerable programs, funerals, and other church functions with her musical talents. She also served as a typist recorder for 13 years in the Logan Temple.
Cloteel’s life celebration was her family. Clyde and Cloteel were the parents of three children, Aziele (Lloyd) Jenson of Amalga, Utah; Frank (Nancy) Stewart of Logan, Utah; and Paul (Suzanne) Stewart of Klamath Falls, Oregon. She is survived by fourteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren who were the joy of her life. She is known for her loving support of their activities, education, and missionary service. She and Clyde could always be seen at one of their grandchildren’s events. She loved her meetings with the Grandma’s Club where they could share stories about their families.
Cloteel and Clyde were active in the USU Emeriti Association and supported USU at many events and ball games as well as participating in Ag Econ Wives, USU Faculty Women’s League, NARFE, USU Big Blue Club, and others.
During her lifetime Clyde and Cloteel traveled extensively following Clyde’s work assignments. Places visited included Europe, the Middle East, and Hawaii. Memorable family trips were a tradition whether it was Kiwanis conventions or the family fishing trips to Yellowstone. Cloteel was always willing to stretch her limits for her love of the family including fishing on the Gallatin River or driving the DeSoto for antelope hunting. Her claim to fame included a fly fishing picture on the cover of a 1950’s sports magazine.
Cloteel was a pioneer for heart valve surgery. Dr. Rumel from the Salt Lake City Hospital, a recognized national heart valve specialist, performed a valve surgery on Cloteel in 1962 before artificial valves were available. Subsequent surgeries by Dr. Kent Jones in 1985 extended her life well beyond expectations.
Her heart lived well beyond its’ capacity and exuded love to family and friends who will greatly miss her. The family gives special thanks to Dr. Kent Jones and Dr. Michael Stones for keeping Cloteel healthy all these years.
Her first loves have always been her husband, family and service in the church. Her most priceless possession is a testimony to the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Funeral Services will be held at the 5/18th Ward Chapel on Thursday, Dec. 29 at 12:00 noon. Friends and family may call on Wednesday evening, Dec. 28 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Allen Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street, Logan or at the church prior to the funeral services from 10:30-11:45 am. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net