In Memory of Darrell D. Stevens

Darrell D. Stevens, age 76, of Battle Creek, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 30, 2014 at the St. Johns Lutheran Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Reverend Randy D. Cormeny will officiate. Burial will be in the Mount Hope Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Maple Valley Post No. 364 of the American Legion both of Battle Creek, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Friday, August 29, 2014 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Darrell D. Stevens was born on February 28, 1938 in Utter, Iowa to Edward and Caroline (Von Ehwegen) Stevens and was baptized into the Lutheran Faith.

Darrell attended school in Sac City, Iowa until he enlisted in the Air Force on August 19, 1958. Darrell started training to be an air plane mechanic that worked on air plane motors and propellers. He was stationed in Ucosta, Japan from 1960-1962.

After the service he returned and made his home in Fairfield, California where he owned and operated an auto repair shop and loved to race stock cars.

Darrell married Peggy and to this union five children were born; David, Kimberly, Robin, William and Lisa.

In 1989 Darrell returned to Battle Creek, Iowa to help care for his parents. While back he stared to work for Bockelman’s Auto Repair which he later purchased and renamed Darrell’s Auto Repair.

On October 26, 1996 Darrell married Laura Jessen at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Battle Creek, Iowa. Darrell welcomed a step son Henry (Hank) Jessen.

Darrell loved to hunt and fish and not even being diagnosed in 2000 with MS could stop him. Thanks to his caring Pastor Randy Cormeny and friends, his love for the outdoors stayed strong.  They would take Darrell out and rig a set up so that even though he did not have the use of his arms he was able to shoot a target. He also enjoyed going to church, Men’s Club, playing cards and visiting with friends and making new ones.

Darrell was a resident at Willow Dale Wellness Village where he was crowned the Valentine’s King one year and was the official door greeter.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Laura of Battle Creek, Iowa; step-son, Henry and wife Bev Jessen of Battle Creek, Iowa; children, David Renaud, Kimberly Renaud, Robin Dempsey, William and wife Laura Stevens and Lisa Tymann; step- grandsons, Jacob Jessen of Battle Creek, Iowa; Jordan and wife Malinda Alm of Holstein, Iowa; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one sister, Marilyn and husband Allan Schultz of Omaha, Nebraska

Darrell is preceded in death by his parents and sister Shirley and husband George Gurney.