Obituary of Connie Louise Stevens

Connie  Louise  Stevens

Connie passed away Sunday evening, September 16, 2018, at the Kavanagh House in Des Moines after a hard and well-fought fight against breast cancer.

   A time of remembrance and celebration of life will be 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton, who are entrusted with the arrangements.  Visitation and a fellowship time will be at the funeral home, an hour prior to the services.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be designated to Connie’s family or Iowa CareGivers.  Burial will be in the Newton Memorial Park Cemetery.

   Connie Louise Stevens, 79, was born September 20, 1938, in Princeton, Missouri.  She was the daughter of Lee and Shirley (Nigh) Renfro.  The family moved to Colfax when she was 13 where she graduated from Colfax High School in 1956.  On June 1, 1956, Connie was united in marriage with Jimmy T. Stevens in Newton, who was the love of her life.  

   She was employed with and retired from Newton Manufacturing where she worked as a supervisor.  She was a consummate caregiver and many family members and friends were the recipients of her kind and gentle ways.  She and Jimmy were Elvis fans and enjoyed time with family, camping, fishing, and traveling to Florida and Tennessee to visit family after retirement.  Connie also relished time going out to lunch or coffee with her special circle of lifelong friends, and an occasional trip to the casino to play the slots.  She also volunteered for Iowa CareGivers for over 20 years.

   Connie is survived by her mother Shirley Renfro; sister Di Findley; niece Jennifer Swearngin (Jim); nephews Bryce Swearngin (Bailey) and Addison Swearngin; her aunts, uncles, cousins; and her many good friends and neighbors. 

   She was preceded in death by her father, Lee Renfro; husband, Jimmy T. Stevens; great nephew, Jacob Swearngin; and in-laws Bert and Eunice Stevens.