Stephen Alexander
October 14, 2016
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Service Details
Stephen Paul Alexander, 56, of Des Moines, IA passed away on Friday, October 14, 2016, after a struggle with pancreatic cancer. Stephen was born on August 31, 1960, to M. Paul Alexander and M. Virginia Alexander in Chicago, IL.
Stephen spent many years working as a taxi driver in Des Moines, IA. Later, he worked for U.S. Roasterie for over 10 years before returning to taxi driving before his cancer diagnosis in June 2016.
Stephen was a great lover of music and enjoyed seeing a wide variety of live concerts over the course of his life. One of his favorite traditions was to attend the River Roots music festival in Davenport, IA each year. He was also a sports fan and enjoyed baseball, football, and basketball. He was a big fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Chicago Cubs, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Stephen is survived by his brother Tim Alexander (Brenda) of Davenport, IA, his three children Amanda Alexander, Sera Alexander, and Addison Hartmann, all of Des Moines, IA, and his girlfriend of 10 years, Debra Boehm of Des Moines, IA, as well as countless friends.
Stephen was preceded in death by his parents.
If you would like to make donations, they may be directed to Amanda Alexander at 1216 Payton Ave., Des Moines, IA 50315, to assist his children with his expenses during this time.
A memorial and wake is scheduled to take place at Stephen’s home at 978 27th St., Des Moines, IA on Friday, October 21, 5PM-9PM and Saturday, October 22, 12PM-5PM.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Crystal parsons
11/05/2016
Steve was a great person a great man had a heart of gold it was an honor. To know him he is truly missed miss and love you steve your the best
Lisa A. Carlson
10/22/2016
Stevie -that was what I called him from almost the first day we met. He was my very best friend for 23 years. We lived together and had a healthy relationship for 8 of those years, never having a single argument, never doubting our bond, and always being there for each other. When we decided to separate, that didn't end our great relationship as friends, we continued to love each other and respect each other always, and when we moved on to other partners, we welcomed them and loved them as well, they became our family. He helped raise my two children and he helped me grow as a person more than anyone else in my life ever has. He was the best example of a Christian that I ever met as well, doing whatever he could for whomever needed it, if he was able; and if he wasn't able to help you, he would find someone who could and wouldn't leave you alone until he knew you were going to be ok. I saw him lose a lot of things in life, which ripped my heart out at times, because the ebb and flow of blessings and hardships may not have always appeared in balance for him-from outward appearances-but inside his heart and mind, his soul and his very way of life he never felt he was a victim, he remained humble, grateful for these times because he always had his faith in God, knowing no matter what he was going to be ok. I loved his ability to see the good in all things, never judging people, because he didn't want anything from anyone in return for his love or his support. He accepted all people for who and what they were and he never tried to make them feel any pressure to be anything they weren't able to be. He stayed the same person in all the years we spent as best friends, steadfast, kind and gentle. A man you could count on, and his integrity was without reproach. It's very hard to find these things in a friend these days! He was the man I am telling you of until the day he died. He gave me the ability to have empathy and compassion, of having understanding for others and for giving to others without expecting anything in return. That is the best part of who I am and I could never have become the person I am today, someone I can be proud of, without his undying love, support and faith in me. He loved my children, Macey Michele Carlson and Matthew Dennis Carlson, and my three grandsons, Sean Adam Smith, Andrew Blaze Hass-Carlson, and Elijah Richard Owens, as much as he loved me. He treated them as his own. No one was more important to him than his three children though. Amanda, Sera, and Addison, I am sorry for the time you were unable to be with your dad, it hurt him deeply and was his only regret in life, but in the end he was blessed by that short absence with a fuller, more meaningful relationship with each of you. I wish you could have had more time, we all do, but for his last years to have been with you kids-he had everything he wanted in life in the end. To leave this world with that in your heart is what life is all about. To his partner Deb, my sister and dear friend, and to your son-the years he spent living with you and loving you were his best, and thank you for being the love you were to him. You gave Steve many great days, filled with laughter and adventure. What great partners you were! And to Tim and Brenda Alexander, for the past 20 years, you have been spending your weekends at River Roots together, making sure you kept your bonds tied and never lost touch with each other. He told me how important that was to him after your parents both passed. He said that he spent far too many years in and out of your life missing out on having a brother, over stupid things he couldn't even remember at times lol. He had an epiphany one day when we were in Florida at your Aunt's house picking up your mom Ginny to move her home He was in tears and he just said "I miss my brother, I need to call him!" And he did. That was all it took to be brothers again, like you are now, look what you almost missed out on! This makes my heart happy. To the Moreno children, Steve said often in our time as friends, that he really loved having a great big house full of kids and that he loved the grand-kids as if they were his own, and the time he was with your family made him proud to step in and bond with all of you, he cared very much about each of you! For all of Steve's family and friends, thank you for the love you shared with him. Nothing means more to me than knowing that the people I love are loved like that. Steve always said that in the end, love is all you need, and family is all that really matters. KEEP YOUR HEART OPEN FOR THEM AND NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON FAMILY. YOU NEED ONE ANOTHER! Godspeed, my dear Stevie-Kiss your momma Ginny and tell her hello from me. Grab my Nannie and give her a hug from me, and tell her I will see you all someday when it's my time to leave. Stevie, thank you, and I want you to know that I understand now, how things were the day you died. I was so loved, and so blessed from the first to the last day we spent on this earth together. See you there. <3
Don&lena
10/22/2016
My condolences for the loss of Stephen. We can find comfort in the promise found in John 5:28,29. There will be a resurrection of our dead loved ones.
Kylie and Nick
10/20/2016
So sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts And prayers
Michelle Ellson
10/18/2016
Steve was a kind man.As the dispatcher At the cab company I had the pleasure to know him and recieve compliments from customers regarding him.He returned to work a few days in September and that was the last time I seen him.I know in my heart hes in a better place.Rip..cab 163