In Memory of Kenneth L Stephen
Kenneth L. Stephen, age 56, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.
Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Reverend Glen Lozier will officiate. Committal Services will be held at a later date in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com
Kenneth Lynn Stephen was born on January 21, 1959, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Edward Lee and Anna May (Edwards) Stephen.
Kenneth grew up in Council Bluffs and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School. After graduation Kenneth worked with his father constructing homes.
Kenneth was united into marriage to Donna Schwarte (the couple later parted ways) and the couple were blessed with 8 children: Traci, Mark, Kimberly, Amanda, Heather, Adam, Julia, and Jacob.
The family made their home in the Dunlap and Denison, Iowa area. During this time, Kenneth earned the nickname Mario. He even dressed as the Nintendo character for a parade. The family relocated to Ida Grove, Iowa, to be closer to Kenneth’s job at GOMACO Industries. Kenneth worked at GOMACO for twelve years before taking a position at Farmland. At Farmland, Kenneth was among the few that were Iowa State Certified Scale Technicians. Shortly after leaving this position Kenneth was diagnosed with cancer.
Kenneth was a true family man who was involved in the Iowa Republican party. He loved to embarrass and joke with his children (by counting their ribs for a quarter) who were the light of his life. He enjoyed setting and leading by example as an AWANA’s leader, reading, and playing chess with his grandchild Dakota.
Kenneth is preceded in death by his son, Jacob John Stephen in infancy; parents, Edward Lee and Anna May Stephen; brother, Denzel Stephen; and sister, Stephanie Hanson.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving children, Traci Mefferd of Wall Lake, Iowa, Mark (Chaise) Mefferd of Dunlap, Iowa, Kimberly Mefferd of Ida Grove, Iowa, Amanda Stephen of Denison, Iowa, Heather Stephen of Ida Grove, Iowa, Adam Stephen of Ida Grove, Iowa, and Julia Stephen of Ida Grove, Iowa; grandchildren: Dakota, Hailey, Addison, Micah, Rebecca, Keeli, Tyrone, Nevaeh, and Zander; brother, R.L. Stephen of Council Bluffs, Iowa; sister Marcia (Eric) Brunner of St. Louis, Missouri; cousins from Council Bluffs, Iowa, and extended family and friends.
SERVICES
Memorial Services
11:00 a.m., Saturday,
January 23, 2016
Christensen - Van Houten
Funeral Home
Ida Grove, Iowa
OFFICIATING
Pastor Glen Lozier
CASKET BEARERS
Honorary Pallbearers
Traci Mefferd
Mark mefferd
Kimberly Mefferd
Amanda Stephen
Heather Stephen
Adam Stephen
Julia Stephen
VISITATION
One Hour Prior
To The Service
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Christensen - Van Houten
Funeral Home
Ida Grove, Iowa
MUSIC
Pianist, Teresa Paulsrud
Vocalist, Bob Paulsrud
Congregational Hymns:
"How Great Thou Art"
"In The Garden"
INTERMENT
At A Later Date
Ida Grove Cemetery
Ida Grove, Iowa
Condolences
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I am sure simple words cannot eliminate the sorrow you feel, but I just wanted to share a passage with you which I hope will give you some comfort.
A hope promised in the Bible is:
“The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life.†(John 5:28, 29)
I hope that seeing the promise for yourself, and making this resurrection hope your very own, can give you some genuine comfort during this difficult time.
Thank you for reading my message.
”