Donald Lee Stephens Passed

	Donald Lee Stephens
	April 1, 2013
	Donald Lee Stephens April 1, 2013 Donald L. Stephens, 87, of Iowa Falls, Iowa, passed away Monday, April 1, 2013, at the Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa. A Mass of Christian Burial for Donald L. Stephens will be 10:30 Friday, April 5, 2013, at Saint Mark’s Catholic Church, 415 Main Street, Iowa Falls, with Father Paul Baldwin officiating. A Rosary will be held at 5:00 pm Thursday, at Linn’s Funeral Home, 1521 Washington Avenue, Iowa Falls, followed by Scripture service and visitation to follow until 7:00pm. Burial will be at the St. Mark’s Cemetery, Iowa Falls, with military honors provided by the U.S. Navy and the Hyman-Peavey American Legion Post #188, Iowa Falls. Memorials may be directed to the family in care of his wife, Patricia Stephens, 1004 Elizabeth St. Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126. The Linn’s Funeral Homes Iowa Falls Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements. Donald Lee Stephens was born December 27, 1925, at Dayton, Iowa, and raised the son of Edythe [LaValley] Stephens Hedberg and Earl Hedberg. He attended the Dayton Community Schools. Don enlisted in the United States Navy on December 29, 1942, serving with the United States Navy Armed Guard flotillas escorting multiple crossings of troops and supply ships overseas. He served on the USS Wenatchee, the SS Horace Mann and the SS James W. Nesmith, and then volunteered and was excepted after extensive training for the Under Water Demolition Team #29. During World War II he served in the American Theatre, the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre, and the European-African-Middle-Eastern Theatre, and at Bikini Beach in 1946. After his discharge on May 5, 1947, he entered the United States Naval Reserve and was recalled for active duty for the Korean Conflict on February 28, 1951, serving on the USS McGinty (DE-365) receiving the UN Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal (one star), and the China Medal, and was discharged on May 1, 1952. He always bragged he had sailed in all seven of the ancient seas. On October 17, 1953, Donald was united in marriage to Patricia Dunsmoor at Fort Dodge, Iowa. To this union six children were born: Sarah, Donna, Dan, Kyle, Tim and Julie. Don spent many years with a career in the wholesale building supply industry, retiring several times, but always willing to work again when recalled. He loved his family, and depending on the season, he loved gardening {sharing his produce with family and friends}, fishing {with family or good friends}, and golfing {even though he thought it was unfair his wife had two holes in one and he had none!} Donald Stephens was a member of the St. mark Parish, Iowa Falls, the Frank McGivney Knights of Columbus Council # 5835, Iowa Falls, the Hyman-Peavey American Legion Post #188, Iowa Falls {serving in several offices, including Past Commander and the Honor Guard} maintaining 65 years of continuous membership, and the Meadow Hills Golf Club, Iowa Falls. Donald Stephens is survived by his wife: Pat Stephens of Iowa Falls; his children: Sarah [Craig] Black of Urbandale, Iowa, Donna [Tom] Volberding of Georgetown Lake, Montana, Dan Stephens of Waterloo, Iowa, Kyle [Erin Duffy] Stephens of Gig Harbor, Washington, Tim [Luci] Stephens of Livingston, Montana, Julie [Ricke] Welden of Norwalk, Iowa; 15 grandchildren; 3.9 great grandchildren; and a brother: Dean [Emily] Stephens of Atlanta, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents: Earl and Edythe Hedberg; a daughter-in-law: Suzanne Stephens; a sister and brother-in-law: Delores Stout; and Ray Stout . ( Don was a neighbor to the Stilson's in Magnolia Park)