Obituary of James W. Stevens

James W. Stevens, the son of Ross Walter and Grace Lewis Stevens, was born January 10, 1928 on the family farm near Oskaloosa, Iowa. He graduated from the Oskaloosa Senior High School in 1945. On June 16, 1967, Jim was united in marriage with Marjorie Ludwick in Newton, Iowa. He worked for the Maytag Dairy Farms for over 59 years. He retired as President and C.E.O. in 2004. Jim loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed rebuilding cars, working in the yard, traveling, and watching Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball. Jim was a member of the Newton Rotary Club for 37 years. Jim fought a long battle with leukemia and lymphoma. He died Sunday, September 4, 2011 at his home, where he was surrounded by his family. He was 83 years old. Jim was preceded in death by: his parents, his son Larry Stevens, his sisters; Dorothy Couts, Isabel McCabe, Jeanne Morgan, and Mary Stevens in infancy and his brothers, LeRoy and Jerry. Those left to honor Jim's memory include: his wife, Marge Stevens of Newton; his son, Paul James (Nicole) Stevens of Round Rock, Texas; his daughters, Patricia Stevens (Kevin) Earle of Miami, Florida, Teresa Stevens (Rick) Lyman of Newton, Iowa and LeAnn Stevens of Altoona, Iowa; his grandchildren, James Earle, Kevin Earle, Jr., and Christopher Earle; his brother, Robert Stevens of Silver Spring, Maryland and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 8, 2011 at the Newton First Assembly of God Church. Friends may greet the family from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home. Burial will be at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa following the reception. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and may be left at the church or the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.pencefh.com