James Boyd & Jeanette Copenhaver Stevenson

STEVENSON COPENHAVER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 10/18/2010 at 21:07:13

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

James Boyd and Jeanette (Copenhaver) Stevenson
By Jeanette Stevenson

James Boyd ‘Jay’ Stevenson and Jeanette Ilene (Copenhaver) Stevenson were married 23 August 1939, at the home of her parents, Walt and Mabel Copenhaver in Bronson, Iowa. The ceremony was performed by Rev James Stevenson, pastor of the Elliot Creek Presbyterian Church of Bronson, Iowa, father of the groom. Attendants were Florence and Donald Stevenson, sister and brother of Jay; Jeanette’s sister, Neta, age 11 years old, sang. The other invited guests were Mr and Mrs Peter Struyk and Bill (Jay’s sister, Dorothy and family). There were uninvited guests, three couples from Sioux City, who stayed for the ceremony but left before the dinner. However, they were waiting at the photographers, Genelli’, in Sioux City, where the charivari started. Jay and Jeanette finally agreed to feed them, which left the newlyweds with 15 cents and their street car chips until the next payday.

Jeanette was born 14 December 1916 in Bronson, Iowa. Jay was born 1 July 1915, in Weyauwega, Wisconsin, son of Rev James Boyd and Eva Mae (Whissel) Stevenson.

Following graduation from Bronson High School, Jay attended Buena Vista College at Storm Lake, Iowa, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. Jeanette attended and graduated form Stewart’s School of Cosmetology in Sioux City.

Jay was employed by Allied Laboratories in Sioux City, as Bacteriologist, 1939-1958, then was Head of the Laboratory for Siouxland Health Department form 1958 until retiring in June 1980. After their children were in school, Jeanette worked twelve years at Morningside College, Sioux City, as receptionist and PBX telephone operator.

Jay and Jeanette have four children and eight grandchildren. All four children, Ron, Neta, Janice, and Jerry, attended Whittier grade school, East Junior High and East High School.

Ronald ‘Ron’ Boyd Stevenson, born 21 May 1940, graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Nebraska, 1963 with Bachelor of Science degree and Ensign commission in Navy. He served four years in the Navy, ending his Navy career as a Lieutenant. He married Pamela Hurst of Norfolk, Virginia, 20 December 1964. Divorced 1977. They have two children: Christian Boyd Stevenson, born 24 February 1968, and Stephanie Elizabeth ‘Beth’, born 25 January 1970. They live with their father, Ron, in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Ron has worked for Hallmark Card Company as Multiple Accounts Manager and Salesman for fifteen years.

Neta Jayne Stevenson, born 26 February 1942, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Morningside College, Sioux City, with a Bachelor of Science degree. She married Jerry Struck of Schleswig, Iowa, 21 December 1963, divorced 1981. They have two children, J Matthew Struck, born 8 April 1967 and Gretchen Jayne Struck, born 31 March 1971. The children live with their mother in Webster City, Iowa. Neta taught Physical Education at East Junior High School in Sioux City, for several years. After moving to Webster City, and after the children were in school, she started working on her Master’s degree, at the same time teaching Learning Disabilities in Webster City Junior High. She received her Master’s degree from Iowa State University, Ames, about 1980. She is still teaching and is Head of the Department.

Janice Jean Stevenson (twin) was born 2 April 1948 and graduated Cum Laude from Morningside College, Sioux City, with a Bachelor of Science degree. She married Dennis Garland, 18 July 1970. They adopted two children, a sister and brother, in 1975. Kari Jean Garland was born 7 December 1972 and David Dean Garland was born 15 December 1973. Janice and Dennis were divorced in 1981. Her second marriage was to Larry R Kiefer, 24 April 1982. Larry has two children: Todd Michael Kiefer, born 28 August 1972, and Mellisa Jo Kiefer, born 5 July 1975. Janice, Larry and the four children now live in Marshalltown, Iowa, where Janice works as bookkeeper and accountant for Fisher Credit Union.

Jerry Dean Stevenson (twin) was born 2 April 1948, graduating form Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, with a degree of Bachelor of Science, curriculum in Horticulture. He taught Horticulture at Kirkwood Tech. and Junior College in Cedar Rapids while he attended Dubuque Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa. He is now Rev J D Stevenson, pastor of Bethany United Church of Christ in Baxter, Iowa. He is not married.

Jeanette and Jay bought their first home at 4515 3rd Avenue, Sioux City, living there for fourteen years. They purchased their current home at 2415 South Maple in 1961. Both are active members in Morningside Presbyterian Church.