Philip Arlis Stephens

Philip Arlis Stephens was born in Logan, Iowa, January 18, 1953, the son of Arlis Carlton and Rose Mary Greiner Stephens. He was raised on farms in the Dunlap and Dow City areas and graduated from the Woodbine High School in 1971. Following high school he attended Stewarts School of Hairstyling in Council Bluffs and became a licensed cosmetologist.On August 31, 1974, Phil was united in marriage with Donna Mae Finken at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa. Their union was blessed with two children: Chad and Chrissy. They made their home in Denison where he first worked at Elaine’s Salon in uptown Denison and eventually started His and Hairs Unlimited. After 25 years, he sold it and then did hair in his home salon. He also owned and operated the Dallas Connection Clothing Store for a few years. He began his landscaping career with Earl May in Denison until establishing Phil’s Lawn, Landscaping, Nursery and Snow Removal Business which he was currently operating.For over 35 years Phil enjoyed spending time at Black Hawk Lake where a nap on Sunday afternoon along the water was his only request. Another favorite was going on vacations with family and friends. He and the grandchildren found great enjoyment in planting the garden and picking asparagus in the spring. They also loved going for a ride in the pickup which often contained donut holes and licorice. He always told Dawson he would have him on a mower by the time he was in 8th grade.Phil was a long time and generous member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church donating his time and talents in providing the seasonal décor for the outside planters and many plants for the inside décor, mowing and snow removal.   He also served his church as a member of the Finance Board, School Board and the Knights of Columbus. In addition to his church activities Phil was very actively involved in his community having served as a past president of the Chamber of Commerce, was a master gardener, member of the Crawford County Garden Club and the Arbor Committee. His gardening and landscaping talents and generosity has left the community he called home a much more beautiful place.After suffering a massive stroke at his home in Denison on Wednesday morning, April 27, Phil died Thursday morning April 28, 2016 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 63 years, 3 months and 10 days.Phil was preceded in death by his parents Arlis and Rose Mary Stephens and three siblings, infants Mary and Joseph Stephens and Patrick L. Stephens.Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife Donna Stephens of Denison, Iowa; children: Chad (Dana) Stephens of Denison, Iowa and Chrissy Stephens of Papillion, Nebraska; 4 grandchildren: Madison “Dollie” Dawson ”Buddy”, Sierra “The Queen” and Dominick “Little Buddy”; brothers: John (Linda) Stephens of Lampe, Missouri, Jim (Sue) Stephens of Dunlap, Iowa, Mike Stephens of Dow City, Iowa; sisters: Michele (Russell) Steffen of Dow City, Iowa and Susan (Gary) Thaman of Denison, Iowa; mother-in-law and father-in-law Ivo and Mick Finken of Earling, Iowa; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Dean (Sandra) Finken of Earling, Iowa and Doug Finken of Altoona, Iowa; Darlene (Don) Mages of Panama, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives as well as numerous friends in Denison and the surrounding communities.A visitation was held on Monday, May 2, 2016, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, Iowa, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. with a Rosary prayed at 1:30 p.m. and a Parish Vigil Service held at 7:30 p.m.Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, Iowa, with Father Paul Kelly as Celebrant. Others participating in the Mass included Servers: Mary Clare Matthews and Claire Miller; Lectors: Judy Brodersen, Mike Breen and Madison Stephens; Gift Bearers: Madison and Dawson Stephens; and Eucharistic Ministers: Barb Songer, Mary Thomas and Becky Schwarte. Music for the Mass was provided by Christian Matthews and Sarah Wagner singing “Fly Like A Bird” and St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir singing “You Are Mine”, “Help Me Lord”, “Eucharistic Litany” and “Be Not Afraid” with Jean Cornelius serving as accompanist.   An Honor Guard was provided by the Denison Knights of Columbus Council #2074. Honorary Pallbearers were the employees of Phil’s Lawn, Landscaping and Nursery. Pallbearers included Quentin Stephens, Travis Stephens, Jeff Stephens, Cole Stephens, Cory Steffen, Matt Thaman, Brent Finken, Stephen Mages and Nathan Mages. Interment was at the Dow City Cemetery, Dow City, Iowa. Following the interment the family invited everyone to join them at the St. Rose of Lima Parish Center for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by Staley’s Food Service and St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild. For those who desire, the family prefers memorials to be directed to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church or St. Rose of Lima School. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.