Rex Stephenson

Rex Leon Stephenson, 81, of Adair, Iowa, passed away Thursday, May 12, 2011, at the Exira Care Center.

Rex was born June 21, 1929, to Avery and Erma (Marsh) Stephenson in Adair County, Iowa. He attended Adair County Schools from Kindergarten to eighth grade and then graduated from Anita High School. In 1946, while he was a senior in high school, he moved with his family to a farm northwest of Adair in Guthrie County.

After high school he farmed with his Dad until he was drafted into the Army. He served from Feb. 1951 to Feb. 1953 in the Korean War during which time he spent 10 months in Germany.

After returning from the service, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Nielsen on Aug. 16, 1953, and lived all their married life on the family farm.

Rex was a long time member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. He was a farmer for life and he loved playing cards, always bidding high and winning.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, and his children, Alan Stephenson of El Paso, Illinois and Janet (John) Della Vedova of Norwalk, Iowa. His grandchildren, Chad Stephenson and his wife Traci, Scott Stephenson, Alex Jacobsen and Jessica Jacobsen. Three great-grandchildren, Cadence, Jillian and Cain Avery Stephenson, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Rex was preceded in death by a son, Ronald Stephenson; his parents, Avery and Erma Stephenson; a brother, Max Stephenson; and three half brothers, Earl, Ross and Cecil Stephenson; and a half sister in infancy.

A funeral service will be held Monday, May 16, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Adair. He may be viewed from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 15th at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Adair, IA.

The family invites everyone to a luncheon at the church following the burial.

Hockenberry Family Care in Adair, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.