Joyce I. (Whaley) Stevens

Joyce I. Stevens, 82, of the Mt. Pleasant, Salem and Hillsboro communities passed away on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at Karen Acres Health Care Center in Urbandale. 

 Joyce was born on April 25, 1942, in Mt. Pleasant, the daughter of Herman and Lucille (Parker) Whaley.  Joyce was united in marriage to Kenneth W. Stevens on September 4, 1960, at the Salem Friends Church with Rev. J. Edgar Barcus officiating.  Their maid of honor was Janice Whaley and their best man was Jan McCabe.  After almost 58 years of marriage, Kenneth preceded Joyce in death on January 11, 2018. She worked at Iowa Wesleyan College, Cargill Seed Company and helped her husband on the family farm west of Salem.   Joyce belonged to the First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant, Hillsboro Alpha Club and the Salem Kitchen Band.  Joyce was a wonderful mom and wife, enjoyed baking, singing in church and loved animals.  Taking care of her family was the most important part of her life. 

 Joyce’s memory will live on through her children, Kelly (Larry) Heitmeier of Hillsboro, Holly (Andreah) Stevens of Des Moines and Teresa (Daniel Coffey) Stevens of Harrison, Ohio, 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. 

 She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Kenneth, a son in infancy, Kevin, two brothers, Richard Whaley and Gary Whaley, and two sisters, her twin sister, Janice Sinclair and Patricia Richenberger.

 A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant with Pastor Aaron Helterbran officiating.   Burial will be in the Winfield Scott Township Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until time of service on Saturday at the Murphy Funeral Home.  Memorials may be directed to the Salem Old Settlers, Salem Fire and Rescue or to the Alzheimer’s Association in her memory.

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