Lois Mae (Rife) Stevens was born on Sept. 2, 1932, in River Sioux, to David and Clara (Fox) Rife. She was one of 17 children who have all preceded her in death. Lois is preceded to heaven by her siblings; her parents; husband, George; daughters, Georgia Mace, Marjorie Burbridge; one grandson, Chad Stevens; two granddaughters, Melanie Burbridge and Brittney Burbridge; and one great-grandson, Rowan Ruhge.
Lois went to school in Mondamin. On Nov. 8, 1948, George and Lois were married until his death on July 17, 2000. Together they had six children, 19 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren.
Lois was a homemaker until the mid-1970s, when she first learned to drive and began working at Wilkinson Mfg. in Fort Calhoun, Neb. for many years. When the new computer age took over the business world, she taught herself to type in the evenings and was promoted to an office job. Later she ran the tire department of NE-IA Supply in Blair, Neb. Until she and George opened the Hawkeye 127 restaurant in Mondamin, they ran it together for many years. She was a very hard worker so even in her retirement she always kept herself busy with various projects and hobbies.
Lois was a devoted Christian and a lifetime member of the Mondamin United Methodist Church.
She was a sports fanatic, she lived for her sports. Her favorite teams were the LA Dodgers, Indiana Pacers, Iowa Hawkeyes, & West Harrison Hawkeyes.
Her other interests included country & gospel music, gardening, reading, yard work, puzzling, cleaning, making gourd birdhouses, selling candles with her daughter, renovating her rental homes, watching her grandson, Michael, play guitar, going to see Rick Powell and Friends, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Lois passed away Aug. 28, 2021, in her home of 70 years in Mondamin. She is survived by her sons, Gary Stevens, Mike Stevens (Sharlene), Patrick Stevens and Donald Stevens; 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren and many other family & friends.
She was the most generous, loving and cheerful person and is loved by so many. She will be deeply missed.
Proverbs 31:28-29 - Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.
A celebration of life service will be help Saturday, Sept. 11, at 1 p.m., at the Mondamin Community Center. Pastor Dale Wolfe will be officiating. Music selections will be “If We Never Meet Again This Side of Heaven”, “ Take My Hand, Precious Lord”, “Peace in the Valley”, and “Go on Without Me”. The final resting place will be at the Little Sioux Cemetery in Little Sioux.
Arrangements by Hennessey Funeral Home Missouri Valley. www.hennesseyonline.com
