Donald (Don) Eugene Stephens Sr passed away on October 26, 2026, in the presence of family at Mount Ayr Healthcare.
Donald Eugene Stephens Sr. was born on March 22, 1931, to Clarence and Hazel (Lucas) Stephens. When his older sister, Bette was introduced to him, she told her parents to “send the red-faced kid back”. He grew up on a farm southwest of Mount Ayr, Iowa close to Delphos. All of Don’s education was at the Delphos Iowa School. When he was old enough to drive, Don bought a Jeep which he used as a bus to bring students to school.
One of his adventures in his Jeep involved a lifelong friend, Dale Campbell. Don and Dale were riding around in the Jeep, and since it was a Jeep, they decided to see if it would go over any terrain. Grandpa Clarence had a haystack which Don and Dale decided to drive over. The Jeep got stuck on top of the haystack and caught the stack on fire. They were able somehow to save the Jeep.
Don met his first wife, Eileen Prichett, at the Delphos School. After graduating from Delphos High School in 1950, Don married Eileen and to this union was born two children, (Kenny) Kenneth Eugene and (Kathy) Kathryn Eileen. Around this time Don began to drive truck hauling cars.
Don accepted Christ as his savior in 1957 and on July 7, 1958, Don was united in marriage to Evadne Sue Hopkins. Together they raised three children, Genevieve Rene, (Dusty) Donald Eugene Jr, and (Lisa) Mary Elizabeth. At the beginning of their marriage Don continued to drive a truck but came home to farm after his father had a heart attack. In 1966, the family moved to Wichita, Kansas, and Don began to work at the Cessna airplane plant. In 1971, Don bought his first truck affectionately called ‘Old Pete’ and went back to his passion for driving trucks which he continued to do until his retirement in 1998. Don received his nickname of Papa Pete from his grandson Jeffrey when Don tried to call Jeff, Pete. At 2 years old Jeff played the uno reverse and for many years Don was called Papa Pete. After retiring from big rig trucking, Don began to haul some of the Amish that moved in around Redding. He continued to do this for several years until his health began to fail.
In 1971, Don and the family moved back to Iowa and lived one mile north of Delphos. In 1977, Don and the family moved onto his grandparent’s homestead in the new home that he, Sue, Dusty and Lisa built. Don lived in this home until his death.
Don was a long-time member of the New Life Family Church AG, formally the Mount Ayr Assembly of God Church. He faithfully attended the church every time there was a service and served as a Board Member for many years. His faith was more than association but was a very personal relationship with his savior, Jesus Christ. A tribute to Don’s faith and devotion was given on Facebook by his former pastor, Butch Black. Pastor Butch wrote “I am reminded of the many meals around that special Dining Room table after church on Sunday, and how they (Don and Sue) invited visitors to church regularly to share in those meals. In 26 years of ministry, Don and Sue were the greatest examples of hospitality I have ever witnessed. He was also one of the most dedicated and faithful Board Members I have ever had the privilege of serving with.”
Don was preceded in death by his very loved wife Sue, his parents Clarence and Hazel, in-laws Riley and Opal Hopkins, one sister Bette Griffith, two brothers-in-law Harold Griffith and Larry Hopkins, a son Kenny Stephens, sons-in-law Tracy Constant and David Malone, and a granddaughter Kelsey Stephens.
Don is survived by his children Kathy Poore, Rene Malone, Dusty Stephens (Robyne), and Lisa Constant; his grandchildren, Scott Poore (Chandra), Kristen Poore, Josie Mobley (Wyatt), Aimie Larson (Robby), Nick Belfore (Eric), Laurel Stephens (Dustin Johnson), Riley Stephens, Jeffrey Constant (Laura), and Kimberly Cotner (Dustin); great grandchildren, Karly and Kamryn Poore, Cole Mobley (Natalie), Kerrigan Mobley, Cody Larson (Ryleigh), Tate and Tucker Larson, Bryson and Zoe Cotner, Blayne, Iliya, Thayer, Hayse, Mavryk, Tracy, and Uryah Constant, Dax Johnson and great great grandchildren Luke Mobley and Ella Larson, his sister Joy Roslien (Dave), sister-in-law Sandra Hopkins, and also a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, unofficially adopted children Harold and Paula Johnston and his church family that affectionately called him Dad Don. Services were held at the New Life Family Center in Mount Ayr, Iowa on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 2 p.m. Casketbearers were Jeffery Constant, Blayne Constant, Thayer Constant, Bryson Cotner, Dustin Cotner, Harold Johnston. Honorary Pallbearers were Scott Poore, Kristen Poore, Josie Mobley, Aimie Mobley, Nick Belfore, Laural Stephens, Riley Stephens, Kimberly Stephens and all Great Grandkids and Great-Great Grandkids. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery. Memorials are to New Life Family Church and Gideon’s International. Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.
