Charlotte M. Stephens (1934-2013)

STEPHENS

Posted By: Padriag (email)
Date: 1/30/2013 at 14:22:12

Charlotte Marie (Brich) Stephens, age 78, passed away Tuesday, January 29, 2013, at Risen Son.

Charlotte was born February 11, 1934, at the family farm near Neola, Iowa, to Edward and Gladys (Smith) Brich with 9 siblings. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in Neola in 1952. She was united in marriage to William Stephens on September 17, 1953 and they were blessed with six children, Bernard, Michael, Raymond, Shirley, Barbara and Annette. They farmed and raised cattle, northwest of Neola until 2006, when they moved to Council Bluffs. She was a member of the Neola Presbyterian Church and served as Elder and Clerk of Session. Bill and Charlotte were named Lay Couple of the year in 1996 through the Presbyterian Church. Charlotte ran the sound equipment for the Neola Community Choir for many years, and served on various committees at the church, school and later at RSCV. She enjoyed farming, fishing, and her families activities, including making blankets for the Phoenix House and her family. Whenever she got low on material, Charlotte prayed for God to provide.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill in 2008; son, Michael in 1982; grandson, Eric Clevenger; great granddaughters, Ashley and Katelyn Nelson; sister, Joan Janson; brother, Francis Brich.

Survivors include sons, Bernard and wife, Jean, of Treynor, Iowa, Raymond and wife, Tana, of Logan, Iowa; daughters, Shirley Ryan and husband, Bob, of Harlan, Iowa, Barbara Courtier and husband, Kerry, of Neola, Annette Haner, of Elkhorn, Neb.; daughter-in-law, Sherri Olsen and husband, Lynn, of Minden, Iowa; 24 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; sisters, Marian Madden and husband, Dutch, of Council Bluffs, Margaret Vorthmann and husband, Paul, of Missouri Valley, Iowa, Theresa Berriman and husband, Bill, of Mingo, Iowa, Virginia Kilts and husband, Jim, of Johnstown, Colo.; brothers, Robert Brich and wife, Dee, of Sacramento, Calif., Thomas Brich and wife, Katie, of Emporia, Kan., Stephen Brich and wife, Roberta, of Charlotte, N.C.; sister-in-law, Marlene Brich, of Neola; brother-in-law, Mel Janson, of Rolla, Mo.; many nieces and nephews.

Visitation with family Thursday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel. Funeral services Friday, 10:30 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church, Neola. Pastor Dean Sparr, officiant.

Interment Neola Cemetery, followed by luncheon and fellowship at St. Patrick's Church Hall, Neola. Memorials to the Phoenix House preferred.

Published in The Daily Nonpareil on January 30, 2013