Dean Leo Stephens

Dean Stephens, 87, of Macedonia, passed away on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at the Veterans Hospital in Omaha, NE. Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at the Macedonia United Methodist Church with Reverend Bruce Smith officiating. Visitation will be two hours prior to service time. Military honors and inurnment will be in the Macedonia Cemetery. Memorials suggested to Macedonia Avenue of Flags or Macedonia Fire & Rescue. Loess Hills Funeral Home of Carson in charge of arrangements.

Dean Leo Stephens, one of thirteen children of Guy Robert and Mabel Caroline (Dobbs) Stephens, was born at his parents' home near Henderson, Iowa on August 17, 1926. His family lived and worked on various farms in the Henderson and Macedonia, Iowa area. Dean attended the Macedonia High School where he graduated in 1946. He then began work as a farm laborer for area farmers.

In 1950, Dean was drafted in the United States Army and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska during the Korean War. Following his discharge, he enlisted in the Unites States Air Force and was stationed at Whitman Air Force Base near Sedalia, Missouri, as a jet aircraft mechanic for the Strategic Air Command. While stationed at Whitman, Dean met Betty LuJean Spry of Sedalia. They were married in Council Bluffs, Iowa in November 1959. They made their home at Whitman AFB until Dean's retirement from the service in 1960. They moved to Macedonia and were blessed with five children, James Leroy, Daniel Leo, Roger Gerald, Shirley Ann, and Paula Sue.

Dean worked as a carpenter and later for the Phillips Lumber Company in Henderson and Macedonia. In 1970, he began work at the American Beef Packers Plant in Oakland, Iowa until it closed in 1987. Dean became a City of Macedonia employee as the city maintenance engineer.

Dean and Betty had been married 36 years when Betty died on December 17, 1995. Dean continued to live in their Macedonia home and work for the city until his retirement in 1998. He was a member of the Macedonia Legion Post 648 and enjoyed woodworking and carpentry.

Dean passed away on September 4, 2013 at the Veterans Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 87 years and 17 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife Betty; son Roger; sisters, Mayola Keller, Betty Edic, and Dorothy Keller; and brothers, Robert Stephens, Garry Stephens, and Dwain Stephens.

Dean is survived by his children, James Stephens of Council Bluffs, IA, Daniel Stephens of Macedonia, Shirley Stephens and Dale Lamanton of Carson, IA, and Paula Dingman and husband John of Council Bluffs; grandson Robert Dean Stephens; daughter-in-law Traci Stephens of Council Bluffs; sisters, Mary Jane Kinney and husband Joe of Trafalgar, IN, and Jolene Adkins of Omaha; brothers, Larmon Stephens and wife Shirley of LaVerne, CA, Dwight Stephens and wife Judy of Dallas, TX, Bill Stephens and wife Melva of Council Bluffs, and Clifford Stephens and wife Judi of Glenwood, IA; sisters-in-law, Pat Stephens of Glenwood, Jill Stephens of Carson, and Vernie Stephens of Omaha; nieces and nephews; other relatives; and a host of friends.