Carol Stephens

Carol LaVonne Stephens, the daughter of Homer Lee and Eithel Irene (German) Saffell, was born on September 4, 1920 in Van Wert, Iowa. Carol attended school in St. Charles, Iowa until 1938, when following the death of her mother, she and her father moved to Malvern, Iowa where Homer worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps. During Carol's senior year, Homer was transferred to Nebraska and Carol stayed in Malvern with Clarence (Coxy) and Martha Myers and their daughter Dorothy. Carol graduated from Malvern High School in 1939 and following graduation worked for Swanson's Cold Storage in Malvern.

Carol and Forrest Franklin "Whitey" Stephens were united in marriage in Rockport, Missouri on August 19, 1941. Carol and Whitey were blessed with three sons, Larry, Dale, and David. During World War II, Whitey served with General George Patton's Army and during this time, Carol and Larry lived with the Myers family. Coxy and Martha became "adopted grandparents" to Carol's sons. In addition to her duties at home, Carol served as secretary for Cub Scout Pack 242. Carol and Whitey had been married nearly 27 years at the time of his death on June 30, 1968. Carol continued to live in Malvern following Whitey's death. In 1983, David was tragically killed in an accident while working at the Glenwood State Hospital School. After David's death, Carol found comfort in attending the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Glenwood where she eventually became an active member.

Over her career, Carol worked at the Malvern office of Iowa Power and Light, Glenwood State Bank, Collins Drug Store, Botna Valley Grain, and as a teacher's aid at the Malvern School. She belonged to the Malvern American Legion Auxiliary, Silver Urn Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, and was also a volunteer on the Care Review Committee at the Manor of Malvern.

On January 17, 2003, Carol suffered a heart attack at her home in Malvern and died a few hours later at Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She had attained the age of 82 years, 4 months, and 13 days. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Russel who died in infancy, her husband Forrest, and son David.

Carol is survived by her sons Larry Stephens and his wife LaVon of Omaha, Nebraska and Dale Stephens and his wife Cathy of Malvern; a step-brother Lyle Saffell of Harrisonville, Missouri; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.