Caring Staff

Jacob has been serving area families since 1997. In December of 2008, he purchased the Stewart and Baxter Funeral Homes and in 2015 the firm aquired the Mount Vernon location from the Morgan family. He is dedicated to providing each family with the care and compassion they deserve.  A native of Holstein, Iowa, Jacob attended Kirkwood Community College and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, where he earned a Bachelor of Mortuary Science. 

He has served the community in many ways including the Hospice of Mercy Advisory Board, and the local American Red Cross Board of Directors. He is currently a member of Grace Episcopal Church and the Rotary Club of Marion-East Cedar Rapids. As an active Rotarian and past president of his club, he is also a member of the Paul Harris Society and currently serves District 5970 as an Assistant District Governor.

In May of 2017, Jacob joined the Board of Governors for the Iowa Funeral Directors Association. He represents the members of District 2 located in east-central Iowa.  IFDA represents hundred of Iowa licensed funeral directors and funeral home establishments throughout the state. The mission of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association is to promote and support funeral service excellence.

Outside of caring for families, Jacob values time with his family, friends, and dogs, enjoys a good business book, riding his bike, and loves traveling to warm destinations during Iowa's cold months.

Scott has called Cedar Rapids home since 1997.  He grew up on the shores of northern Ohio in a city famous for roller coasters, Sandusky.  He is proud to be an alumnus of Bowling Green State University and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.

 In December of 2008, he purchased the Stewart and Baxter Funeral Homes and in 2015, the firm acquired the Mount Vernon location from the Morgan family. He is honored to provide each family with the personal attention and care they and their family deserve.

 As Community Care Director, Scott guides families with preplanning, accessing community bereavement resources, and leading the Stewart Baxter continuing care program. As an owner, he takes care of the myriad of administrative and facility care duties in the operations of the funeral home.

 In his down time, Scott loves being outdoors especially on the water, listening to music, cooking up or having a BBQ meal for family and friends to enjoy, and spending valued time with family and his dogs, Flynn and Frenchie.

Emily migrated to Cedar Rapids from Southeast Iowa to attend Kirkwood Community College. She received her Associate’s Degree there, and transferred to the University of Iowa to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management as well as a Certificate in Aging Studies. Emily then attended Des Moines Area Community College to study Mortuary Science. She graduated in 2015. After serving her internship with Stewart Baxter and the Iowa Donor Network, she was licensed as a funeral director in April of 2016. Emily is dedicated to serving families with her community-based focus and honors their loved ones in a way that represents their uniqueness.

When Emily isn’t helping families at Stewart Baxter, she serves on the Cedar Rapids HOPEwalk committee who host a memorial walk for those who have died by suicide, express Honor, Openness, Prevention, and Education, raise awareness, and support suicide loss survivors.

In her spare time, Emily enjoys visiting local restaurants, doing yoga, having lunch with her grandparents, reading memoirs, fiction, and Sci-Fi books, and watching sci-fi shows, especially Doctor Who.

Melissa was born and raised in Lisbon, Iowa, and continues to make it her home. Before entering the military, she worked for Collins Radio and Hallmark Care Center. After serving her country in the United States Air Force, Melissa returned to Iowa to receive a degree in accounting. While in college, she worked at St. Luke’s Hospital in the emergency room using the skills she had aquired while serving in the Air Force.

Melissa is a life member of the Federated Church and has in the past enjoyed singing in the choir. She finds enjoyment in reading a good book, making quilts with her mom, and crafting beautiful things with her needle point. Melissa finds that family and the time spent with them is the most important thing to her. Melissa has been with the funeral home for 20 years.

Pauline's motherly hugs and warm personality will likely be your first impression when you visit the funeral home for a memorial.  Her lifetime of customer service experience is evident in everything she does.  Many will recall her smiling face from her 15 years at Armstrong's Department Store and more recently her work at Norwood/Souvenir Company.  She is a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, where she is active with the Chancel Choir,  and formerly served on the Executive Board.

Pauline's grandchildren mean the world to her and she enjoys being involved in their activities.  She likes taking care of her yard and flowers, knitting, reading, and keeping in touch with her friends.  Several times a year she travels to see family in West Virginia and Arizona.  

Pat has been a lifelong resident of Mechanicsville, Iowa, and enjoys her hometown. She has worked many roles over the course of her career, starting with the Linn-Mar Jr. High School as Secretary to the Principal for 26 years, then moving onto Kirkwood Community College as the Office Coordinator in the Learning Services/Skill Center Department for an additional 20 years. Preferring not to retire, Pat began working for the funeral home in 2010 and continues to work with families as a Family Services Assistant.

Pat is a fan of country music, and enjoys working and relaxing in her rock and flower gardens, photography, spending time with her family and cats, and researching her family’s genealogy—she is one of nine siblings. She values volunteering to help others in need and making people smile.

Terese was born and raised in Mount Vernon, Iowa.  She received a BS degree in Biology,Chemistry, and Theology from Marycrest College, Davenport and a Masters degree in Counseling from Iowa State University. Terese was a member of the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa for 18 years. Most of her career was spent in Riverside, CA, educating our youth.  Retiring after 47 years in education, she has returned to Mount Vernon. 

Terese continues to serve her community by working at Kirkwood Community College and volunteering at many Mt. Vernon city and school events. She loves her dog, Lola, and with such a large family, she finds joy in family activities.