Bernie C. Stevens 14 July 1945 - 29 Aug. 2005

STEVENS, MINNEART, KLEINMEYER, SEYE, MUMM

Posted By: Netha M Meyer (email)
Date: 9/10/2005 at 18:29:34

Bernie C. Stevens, 60, of 1505 10th St. NW, died Monday, Aug. 29, 2005, in Mercy Medical Center, with his family by his side after a yearlong courageous battle with mesothelioma. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church by the Rev. Steven Rosonke. A prayer service will be held at 7 tonight at Teahen Funeral Home, where friends may visit from 2 to 7:30 p.m. today and 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. Friday. Bernie was born July 14, 1945, to Ben and Florence Minneart Stevens, in Marengo, Iowa. He attended Hilton Township School in Conroy and Iowa Valley High School in Marengo, graduating in 1963. On July 13, 1973, he married Diane Kleinmeyer in Lexington, Ky. Bernie played fast/slow pitch softball and bowled on numerous teams for many years in the Cedar Rapids area. He enjoyed sports of all types and was an avid NASCAR fan. He enjoyed woodworking in his garage/workshop, especially when joined by family and friends. He was employed as a maintenance laborer at Cargill Inc. for 36 years. Bernie was a devoted husband, father and grandfather to his family. His family looked to him for guidance and advice throughout his life. He was deeply loved by his wife, family and friends, and they are blessed to have been loved by him. He was a thoughtful, caring person, often putting others' needs ahead of his own. He will always be in our hearts and souls, and will truly be missed. Bernie is survived by his wife, Diane; two daughters, Deana (Erik) Ruby of Aurora, Ill., and Jami of Cedar Rapids; one son, Jason (Colleen) Stevens of Hiawatha; and the grandchildren whom he adored so much, Camden and Hannah Ruby, Natalie and baby Stevens expected in September; six sisters, Patricia (Robert) Seye of Ladora, Mary Mumm of Williamsburg, Marcella Hilton and Beverly (Larry) Neswold of Cedar Rapids, Loretta (John) Booth of Sheboygan, Wis., and Janet (Ken) Fish of Morehead City, N.C.; five brothers, Donald (Janet), Gary (Judy) and Tom of Cedar Rapids, David of Marengo and Laverne (Gelene) of Colo, Iowa. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews; his mother-in-law, Luverna Kleinmeyer of Williamsburg; sister-in-law, Donna Gorsh of Newhall; and brother-in-law, Ron (Beth) Kleinmeyer of Marion. Bernie was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Leroy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Anna Purna Ghosh Foundation or the American Cancer Society. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. David Zenk and the staff at Iowa Blood and Cancer Center, along with the staff at Mercy Medical Center for their care and compassion.

Cedar Rapids Gazette
1 September 2005
Edition: F, Page: 4B