Melvin F. Stevens

Melvin F. Stevens was born at Templeton, Iowa, March 2, 1932, the son of Frank and Louisa Kroeger Stevens. He was reared there receiving his elementary and high school education at Sacred Heart Catholic School. Following high school, from 1950 until 1953, he was employed as a Government Service Grain Inspector. On May 4, 1953, Melvin entered the United States Army and served his country during the Korean War until his Honorable discharge May 4, 1955. Upon his discharge he made his home in the Lancaster, California area where he began his Lineman career with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. Melvin was united in marriage with the love of his life, Alberta Florence Anthofer, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lancaster, California, on July 26, 1958. Their union was blessed with two children: Melanie and David. They made their home in the Lancaster/Palmdale, California area until 1968 when they returned to Iowa and made their home in Carroll where Mel completed his 30 year career with Northwestern Bell. They moved to Denison in 1985 where they were in the Hotel/Motel business owning and operating the Best Western Inn Motels in Storm Lake and Denison. Alberta died June 30, 1987, and Mel continued operating the motels until selling them and retiring in 2000. Mel spent his retirement years at his home on South 11th Street near his beloved St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church of which he was an active member, attending daily mass, singing in the church choir, assisting with the funeral lunch committee and bingo, was a collection counter and member of the Knights of Columbus. Other organizations that Mel was a member of and enjoyed include the Lion’s Club, American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa, CWA Lifetime member and the Telephone Pioneers of America. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball fan, enjoyed his church activities and always wanted to hear about all of his grandkids latest adventures. Melvin died early Sunday morning, June 26, 2016, at Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 84 years, 3 months and 24 days. Including his parents, Frank and Louisa Stevens and his beloved wife Alberta, Melvin was also preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law Henry and Mary Anthofer, three brothers: Donald, Joe and Marvin Stevens; brother-in-law Alvin Anthofer and sister-in-law Fran Anthofer. Those remaining to cherish his memory include two children: Melanie (Bob) Carmichael of Des Moines, Iowa, and David (Nancy) Stevens of Mesa, Arizona; five grandchildren: Caitlyn, Colby and Cassady Carmichael of Des Moines, Iowa, Alex (Jerrika) Stevens of Norfolk, Virginia and Tayler Stevens of Mesa, Arizona; two sisters: Delores Vonnahme of Carroll, Iowa and Gladys Stevens of Templeton, Iowa; two sisters-in-law: Alice Stevens of Manning, Iowa and Helen Stevens of Carroll, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 1, 2016, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison with Father Paul Kelly as Celebrant.   Mass participants included Servers: Logan and Harrison Dahm; Lector: Judy Brodersen; Gift Bearers: Mel’s grandchildren; and Eucharistic Ministers: Dorothy Mendlik and Mary Thomas. Music for the mass was provided by St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir singing “How Great Thou Art”, “Blest Are We”, “You Are Mine” and “Amazing Grace” with Jean Cornelius as accompanist. Honorary pallbearers were Gary, Ron and Gene Vonnahme, Bob Stevens, Chad Tigges and Wayne Zitzlsperger. Pallbearers included Jay Riesberg, John Stevens, Bill Menegay, Tom Alesch, Dale Von Tersch and Lonny Popp. Military Honors were provided by the American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa, with Father Paul Kelly playing Taps. Interment was at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery in Denison. Following the graveside rites everyone was invited to join the family at the Parish Center for fellowship and a luncheon provided by the St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild.The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, Denison, Iowa, www.pfannebecker.com , was in charge of arrangements where a Rosary was prayed at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, June 30, with visitation following from 5:00 p.m. until the Parish Vigil Service at 8:00 p.m.