Larry Stevens

Larry Stevens, 81, of Des Moines died Saturday, August 25, 2018, at the VA Medical Center in Des Moines. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 29, at the Valley United Methodist Church in West Des Moines. Memorials may be directed to the Valley United Methodist Church and online condolences may be left for the family at ochiltree.com. Larry Wayne Stevens was born on August 14, 1937, in Winterset, Iowa to Emil ‘Stub’ and Velma (Breese) Stevens. He was a 1955 graduate of Winterset High School and went on to serve in the United States Army from 1955 until 1958. His marriage to Marjorie Tyer took place on October 19, 1958, at the United Presbyterian Church in Winterset. Larry worked for Safeway supermarkets for 24 years having held various positions within the company. After retiring from Safeway as a store manager, Larry worked with Ace Hardware in the company’s only corporate-owned store in Urbandale. His last employment was as an operations manager for seven years at the Olmsted Center on the Campus of Drake University. He was a long-time active member of the Valley United Methodist Church which was formerly the St. Andrews Evangelical United Brethren Church at 31st and Iola in Des Moines. If you knew Larry, you know he had a great sense of humor, was hard working and very patriotic. He took pride in keeping an immaculate yard where dandelions and squinnies were forbidden. He also enjoyed nature, watching birds in his yard and in his younger years, enjoyed hunting pheasants. Larry enjoyed sports and golfed for many years as well as being on a bowling league. He taught all of his grandchildren how to paint and he loved history and enjoyed learning and sharing unusual factoids. He also enjoyed putting puzzles together, solving word jumbles, Sudoku puzzles, playing Bridge and Pitch. All this said, Larry was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved nothing more than spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren whom he was proud to say all had graduated from college. Larry is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marge Stevens of Des Moines; three children, Shelly (Larry) Crawford of Broomfield, CO, Mark Stevens of Kuwait City, Kuwait, Scott (Beverly) Stevens of Des Moines; 5 grandchildren, several step grandchildren, step great grandchildren and step great great grandchildren; a sister, Marilyn Gentry of Red Oak; sisters-in-law, Frances Stevens and Thelma Stevens both of Winterset, Phyllis Stevens of Des Moines, numerous niece, nephews, cousins, extended family and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Pete, Diz and Jack Stevens.