Rhea Beryl DeHaven Stewart (1899– ) was an educator, writer, and active member of South Dakota’s literary and educational communities. Born on September 2, 1899, in Linden, Iowa, she moved with her family to homestead near Capa, South Dakota, in 1907 and later to Wessington, South Dakota, in 1915.
Stewart began teaching at a rural school while still in high school. She completed her high school education at Northern States Teachers’ College in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education, followed by a Master of Arts in English Literature from the State University of Iowa in 1932. She held teaching positions at Roosevelt and Simmons Junior High Schools and became Director of the English Department at Central High School in Aberdeen, where she also advised the Drama Club and initiated the student publication Word Craft.
On January 24, 1943, she married Chase David Stewart and became a farm homemaker near Wessington. Stewart was a prolific poet and writer, contributing to numerous publications and receiving awards in national competitions and state literature contests. She was a member of the South Dakota Press Women and the National League of American Pen Women, serving as state president of the latter.
Stewart remained active in education through service on the South Dakota Board of Education (1947–1959) and participation in President Eisenhower’s Conference on Education in 1955. Her achievements are recognized in Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in South Dakota, and International Who’s Who in Poetry.
Janet Cressman Stofferan graduated from South Dakota State University in 1966 with a degree in fashion merchandising. While a student, she participated in Little International, the Home Economics Club, and the Episcopal Church Youth Group. She earned a Master of Science degree in apparel and textiles with a focus on cooperative extension education from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 1972.
Following her graduation from South Dakota State University, Stofferan worked for the Simplicity Pattern Company. In 1994, she became the museum curator of the Snellman Hsia Collection at South Dakota State University, where she was responsible for managing a historical costume collection. She retired from this position in 2008.
Joseph Martin Stuart was born November 9, 1932, in Seminole, Oklahoma, to Arch William and Lillian (Lindsey) Stuart. He was raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he attended high school, and served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. Following his military service, he pursued higher education under the GI Bill, earning both Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degrees in art from the University of New Mexico. He married Signe Margaret Nelson on June 18, 1960.
Stuart was an artist, museum director, curator, and educator. Over the course of his career, he held positions at the Roswell Museum and Art Center, the University of Oregon Museum of Art, the Boise Art Museum, and the Salt Lake City Art Center. He later served as director of the South Dakota Art Museum at South Dakota State University and as professor of art history. Joseph Stuart died December 9, 2016.
Signe Margaret Stuart was born December 3, 1937, in New London, Connecticut, to Carl Einar and Anna Louise (Gustafson) Nelson. She studied at the Yale-Norfolk Art School in 1959, earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut in 1959, and completed a Master of Arts degree at the University of New Mexico in 1961. She married Joseph Stuart on June 18, 1960.
Stuart joined the faculty of South Dakota State University in 1970 as a professor of art and taught until 1994. Following her retirement from SDSU, she continued her work as an independent artist based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 2001, she served as artist-in-residence at Grinnell College. Her career includes exhibitions and publications such as Signe Stuart: Retrospective, held March 4 to April 23, 1995, at the South Dakota Art Museum, South Dakota State University. She has been recognized in biographical listings including Marquis Who’s Who for her contributions to the visual arts.
Ora Blanche Fryer Swenning was born on February 23, 1882, in Michigan to John H. and Imogen Swenehart. As an infant, she moved with her family to a homestead near Clark, South Dakota, where she spent her early childhood. Her recollections of pioneer life and survival during the blizzard of 1888 were later preserved in a personal memoir. Ora spent her later years in Minnesota and passed away on February 5, 1972, in Pipestone.
Joseph and Winifred (Catlett) Swering married in 1918. They began their newlywed life in Brookings, South Dakota, before moving to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Joseph worked for Westinghouse. They later relocated to Buffalo, New York. The Catlett family had built a large home in Brookings in 1902. While living there, both Winifred and her sister, Margaruite, held their weddings in the family home. The Catlett house also hosted many social events during the family's residence. Eventually, the home was converted into student housing for South Dakota State College.