Stevens, Donald J. (1918-2007)

STEVENS, MOHAN, MCGRAW, HOFFMAN, KOPF, DIMMICK, THIEDE, SHROLL, KUSTER

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/4/2008 at 09:48:51

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, December 27, 2007 and the Carlson Funeral Home website

Donald J. Stevens, 89. of La Crosse, Wis., formerly of Le Mars, died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, at the Bethany Riverside Lighthouse, La Crosse, Wis.

Doanld Joseph (Steve) Stevens was born April 3, 1918 in Le Mars to Albert and Alice Mohan Stevens. He graduated from Le Mars Central High School in 1937 and from the American Dry Cleaning Institute. He served in the US Navy aboard the USS Albemarle during World War II. Don married Phyllis Margaret McGraw in 1948.

Don and Phyllis owned and operated Stevens Cleaners for 32 years. He was an enthusiastic member of the Elks, a proud charter member and past president of Sertoma and an American Legion member for 59 years. Although he traveled to distant places Don thought there was no better place to live than Le Mars (“so many nice people”).

A devoted father and grandfather, he is survived by his two daughters, Judi (Jerry) Hoffman of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Dr. Patricia Stevens-Kopf (Barry) Kopf of Omaha, Nebraska; his special friend Pat Dimmick; three granddaughters, Stephanie (Tim) Thiede, Andrea Hoffman and Kelli Kopf; four great grandchildren, Ashlee Hoffman, Ryan, Justin and Emily Thiede and close friends Dean and Sandy Shroll.

We will miss his spirit, his humor and his voice. Don died Sunday, November 25 at Bethany Riverside Lighthouse in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, sister, Marie Kuster and brother, Albert.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 28, 2007 at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars with Father James Tigges officiating. Burial of his cremated remains will be with military honors provided by the Wasmer American Legion Post #241 in Calvary Cemetery. Visitations with the family present will be from 2:00 p.m. until service time at the church. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Humane Society.