Betty E. Stephens

Betty Eleanor Stephens, went home to be with the Lord on August 20, 2008 at the age of 84 years and 5 days.
Betty, one of five children of Josephine Cecilia (Blacksmith) and Louis Andrew Bullock, was born on August 15, 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska. Betty attended school in Omaha and graduated from North Omaha High School in 1942. Following school, she worked at Butternut Coffee and Bell Telephone in Omaha.
Betty and Emett Yates Stephens were married on January 26, 1950 in Omaha. They made their home in Osceola, Iowa before moving to Malvern, Iowa. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Joyce Annette and Chris Edward. Betty loved being a mother and was a dedicated farm wife. She delighted in making home cooked meals and delivering them to the fields. Gardening, flowers, and sewing were also among her top enjoyments. She was a member of the East Liberty Methodist Church.
In later years, Betty worked at Hamilton Clothing in Glenwood, Iowa. She volunteered to read to the students at Chantry Elementary School in Malvern and spent countless hours at the Manor of Malvern; reading, playing games, baking snacks and doing crafts with the residents. Emett and Betty were avid square dancers and belonged to numerous square dance clubs. She also enjoyed her aerobics and walking at the Glenwood Lake Park. Betty had a deep love and appreciation of family and her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her family and her grandsons. She was known for her witty humor, generosity, love of life, infectious laugh and wonderful smile, courageous fight and the will power to defy all odds.
The past few years, due to medical complications, Betty had been living at the Manor of Malvern. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Marjorie, Helen, and Irene; and brother Ray. Betty is survived by her husband of 58 years, Emett Stephens of Malvern, IA; daughter Joyce Dorothy and her husband Jim of Keosauqua, IA; son Chris Stephens and his wife Cheryl and two grandsons, Ethan Christopher Stephens and Garret Charles Stephens, all of Malvern; nieces and a nephew; other relatives and friends.

"You have loved and taught us well dearest mother; with respect and boundless love, you will be missed and remembered. You have left a void that cannot be filled, but you will remain in our hearts forever. We will always love you, Mom."

Interment will be in the Emerson Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established.

Mansfield-Hertz Funeral Home of Malvern in charge of arrangements.