06/03/2017
Helen Louise (Brooks) Stevenson was born February 11, 1931, in Knoxville, Iowa the daughter of James Ray Brooks and Clarice Lorene (Long) Brooks.
She was raised in Knoxville and graduated with the Knoxville High School Class of 1949. On September 12, 1954, Helen was united in marriage to Richard Gene Stevenson. To this union, two children, Barb and Rick were born. The couple farmed their entire lives in Marion County. As the children got older, Helen went to work for the Farm Bureau office in Knoxville. She was their secretary and retired after 27 years of service.
Helen was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, and the United Methodist Women, and was a 4-H Leader. In her spare time, she enjoyed attending auctions, antiquing, and Iowa Football and Basketball. She always had a garden and flowers that she maintained with care.
Helen was close to her siblings and they enjoyed many trips “rock hunting” in Colorado. Her greatest joy was family and Helen especially loved attending all of her grandchildren’s school events.
Helen passed away on Saturday, June 3, 2017, at the Comfort House, in Pella, at the age of 86 years.
In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Gene; daughter, Barb Dykstra, and siblings: Benny Brooks, Frances Jordan, and James Brooks and in-laws, Ellis Jordan, Larry Petersen, Merry Jo Brooks, and Dorothy Brooks.
Those left to honor Helen’s memory include her son, Rick (Tamra) Stevenson of Knoxville; grandchildren: Danelle Dykstra (Rick) Wade, Kyle Dykstra (Tonya Clark), Chasen (Justine) Stevenson, Kirn (Ashlee) Stevenson, and Lacy Stevenson; great-grandchildren: Ethan, Kasey, Nora, Nolan, and Ella; siblings: Barbara Petersen of Ankeny, Bob Brooks of Knoxville and Marvin (Joyce) Brooks of Knoxville; sister-in-law, Midge Brooks of Pleasantville and many other family members and friends.
Funeral Services for Helen Stevenson, age 86 Knoxville, will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will begin after 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Bybee & Davis Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Marion County 4-H Foundation or to the Comfort House of Pella.