Donald Lee Stevens

October 22, 2022

Donald Lee Stevens

Service Details

Donald Lee Stevens, age 81, passed away surrounded by his family, on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines.

Don was born in Coon Rapids, Iowa on May 2, 1941, to Floyd and Erma (Stettler) Stevens. He married Mary Lou Myer, the love of his life, more than 64 years ago, and he thought of her every day and missed her dearly for the past 4-1/2 years since her passing. They were inseparable as a couple, and together they made a home and a life for their three children.

Don enjoyed spending most of his time with family and friends. He was a loving and devoted husband. He was a wonderful father and grandfather, who was always involved and interested in whatever they were doing, whether it was baseball, football, wrestling, dance, music, academic achievements, or other events, and whether it required his direct involvement, or just his attendance. He was always there to support his family, and he was always willing to help and take care of others, in any way that he could. If he wasn’t with his family or at his home of nearly sixty-years, he would occasionally spend a few hours at the casino to pass the time, but he wasn’t a big gambler. He was a good, caring, honest man, with a strong work-ethic, who enjoyed work and family life, and he knew the value of a dollar, and set a great example for his kids. Don loved Pepsi, possibly more than anyone else on earth, and nobody dared to drink the last Pepsi in the house or fridge when we were growing up. In his later years, Don watched “The Seinfeld Show” regularly, and he said it always gave him a few good laughs before bed and helped him go to sleep. He loved watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and Kansas City Chiefs play football, but he also cheered for the Iowa State Cyclones when the Hawks weren’t playing them. Don had great neighbors who looked out for him and made him feel like family, and he would tell everyone that he was lucky to have the best neighbors ever. He was a pet lover, and especially loved dogs, and he would always tell us to pet our dogs for him. Don loved life, had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh, and there was nothing better than telling him something funny and having a good laugh with him.

Don was a Journeyman Carpenter by trade during his working years, and a proud lifelong member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Carpenters Local 106 trade union, where he served his apprenticeship.

He is survived by his three children, Mike (Paula) Stevens, Jill (Dana) Knowler, and Donald W. Stevens; five grandchildren, Ty (Kassi) Knowler, Alisha Knowler, Emily (Eli) Hohbach, Elizabeth (Taron) Banks, and Paige (Cody) Petek; and three great-grandchildren, Keaton Petek, Kinsley Petek, and Douglas J. (D.J.) Knowler.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Lou Stevens; his parents, Floyd & Erma Stevens; three brothers, Ennice Stevens, John Stevens, and Paul Stevens; and three sisters, JoAnn Ott, Patricia Belew, and Janice Webb.

There will be a celebration of life from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 28, 2022 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in Don’s loving memory.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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