Garry Stephens
September 23, 2006

GARRY DEE STEPHENS, the eleventh of thirteen children of Guy Robert Stephens and Mabel Caroline (Dodds) Stephens, was born at his parent's farm near Henderson, Iowa on June 14, 1942. The family soon moved to a farm east of Carson, Iowa in the Wheeler Grove community. Garry attended school in Macedonia and graduated in 1960 from the Carson-Macedonia High School. Jack Allen gave Garry his first job at Allen Implement Company in Carson. Garry continued working for the company as it became the Carson Machinery Auction Company. Garry married Jill Higgins in 1977. To this union, Garry brought his three children, Brenda Lee, Royce Quincy, and Jason Nicholas. Jill brought her two children, Douglas John and Kelli Ann Hess to the new family. Garry and Jill became the parents of a daughter, Megan LeeAnn, who completed the family. During this time, Garry and Jill were able to purchase his parent's farm home where he had grown to adulthood. Garry later established Garry's Farm Service to repair farm machinery in a shop near his home.
Garry enjoyed being a cowboy, his horses, and roping livestock as needed. He loved raising animals from babies, feeding them a bottle, and protecting them from predators. Raising miniature animals was a special hobby for Garry. He was happiest when he was with his family and his grandchildren who were his pride and joy. They knew Garry as a cowboy who water skied wearing 501 Levis. He had a love for old farm equipment and especially Allis Chalmers tractors. He was a tough guy who once cut off two of his fingers, used black electrical tape to bandage the stubs, and placed the fingers in his jean pocket. After work, he drove himself to the hospital for medical care.
In July of this year, Garry was diagnosed with terminal cancer and died at his home on September 23, 2006, at the age of 64 years, 3 months, and 9 days. Garry was preceded in death by his parents Guy and Mabel Stephens; brother Robert Stephens; sisters Mayola Keller and Betty Edic.
Garry is survived by his wife Jill Stephens; children Brenda Shriver and husband Terry of Carson, Quincy Stephens and Kris Rose of Carson, Jason Stephens and fiancée Ofelia Heruela of Lincoln, NE, Megan Manzer and husband Chris of Carson, Doug Hess of Macedonia, IA, and Kelli Burmeister and husband Jamie of Gretna, NE; 11 grandchildren Brandon Cleveland, Kasey Shriver, Stephanie, Shauna, Skyler, and Shayla Stephens, Madison and twins Caden and Cailee Manzer, Makenzie and Jackson Burmeister; brothers Larmon Stephens and wife Shirley of LaVerne, CA, Dean Stephens and fiancée Patty Gailbraith of Macedonia, IA, Dwain Stephens and wife Vernie of Omaha, NE, Dwight Stephens and wife Judy of Highland Village, TX, Bill Stephens and wife Melva of Ellston, IA, Clifford Stephens and wife Judi of Glenwood, IA; sisters Dorothy Keller and husband Gene of Hurst, TX, Mary Kinney and husband Joe of Trafalgar, IN, and Jolene Adkins of Omaha, NE; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

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