Fern Stevenson Gillespie

Fern Lucille Stevenson Gillespie passed away Monday, January 29, 2024, eight days before her 102nd birthday.

Fern was born February 6, 1922, in Hampton, Iowa to Benjamin Franklin Howard and Rosamund Victoria (Cook) Howard.

She proudly served in the United States Army as a nurse from March 1945 until the end of World War II. She was last employed as a nurse at Bluff Terrace Nursing Home in Clinton, Iowa. Fern was a caring, selfless person and the care giver for her family. She took care of everyone in life, and nursed her parents, siblings, both husbands, and her son and daughter in their deaths as well.

Fern was devoted to her family and was a very loving mother and grandmother. She was interested in all her family’s activities and stayed very involved and active. She was an avid reader and a lifelong learner and explorer. She was always up for a trip or an adventure. She enjoyed traveling throughout her life with family or with groups she was involved in. She loved educating herself on her many varied interests, and was often ahead of her time.

Fern was a member of the Marshalltown Community Theatre and Toastmasters International. She was very comfortable being on stage and was adept at giving speeches. She loved hosting and entertaining.

Fern was very proud to have established an adult day care in Clinton, Iowa, keeping the adults entertained with many nurturing activities. She also taught handwriting analysis for adult education in Marshalltown, Iowa.

She is survived by her daughters, Linda Northouse, Carol Reeves, and Susan (James) Kinzer; grandchildren, Jack Dennis, Michelle Voshell, Kasandra Stevenson, Erica Stevenson, Allie Stevenson, Casey Land, Adrian Carter, Chris Kinzer, and John Kinzer; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Fern was preceded in death by her first husband, Lloyd Stevenson; second husband, Dale Gillespie; son, Dennis Stevenson; and daughter, Margaret Stevenson.

There will be a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Southtown Pentecostal Assembly, 510 E Rose Ave, Des Moines.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the Eastside Senior Center.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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