Frances Stevens

Frances Elaine (Callison) Stevens, 84, of Winterset, passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, February 23, 2020 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, Winterset Chapel, with family present from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A rosary service will begin at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 24, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winterset. Burial will follow in the Winterset Cemetery. Fran was born on August 6, 1935 to Herbert and Ella Callison in Winterset, Iowa. She graduated from Winterset High School in 1953 and continued her education at Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri. Fran was united in marriage to Eldon Stevens on May 8, 1954 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winterset, Iowa. Fran and Eldon moved 13 times in their many years together for Eldon’s career, but finally settled back home with family and friends in Winterset. Fran was a member of the Buffalo Gals, St. Joseph Altar Rosary Society, Bridge Club, and enjoyed dancing in her younger years. She was also a member of the Master Gardeners and spent numerous hours in her acre garden paradise. Fran was preceded in death by her husband, Eldon (Diz) Stevens and great grandchild, Audrey Nuzum. She is survived by sons, Scott (Mary) Stevens, Clayton Stevens, Thomas (Ramona Dillinger) Stevens, all of Winterset, and Richard (Sue) Neal of Des Moines; daughters, Teresa (Curt) Stevens-Marth of Rockford, Shannon (David) Leeson, Wendy (Mike) Corell, and Kelly Stevens, all of Winterset; brother, James (Vanoosh) Callison of Fayetteville, NC; sister, Karen (Ron) Mueller of St. Ansgar; grandchildren, MaRanda (Tress) Edjidja, Fallon and Jared Marth, Sage, Camas and Devyn Leeson, Mandy (Ed) Pagliai, Riley and Cassie Corell, Brandy (Lawrence) Cunningham, Kristin Burhans, Kelsey Stonehocker, Kennedy Harrell and Billy Hayes, Brian (Erin) Stevens, Raelle and Tiernon Stevens, and Anna Neal; and 14 great grandchildren. Besides being a mother to 8 children, Fran was a mother to several others who came to live with her over the years as well as a friend and confidant to all who came and sat around her kitchen table. Fran was a lifeline to many people struggling with life’s crises. She listened without judgement, offered kindness and counseling, food and a place to sleep if needed. No one left without feeling better for having talked to her and certainly no one ever left hungry. She fed both body and soul. Memorials may be directed to the St. Joseph Catholic Church (Mary’s Meals), Winterset Husky Paper, and Mercy Hospice in Johnston.