Connie Louise Stevens

Connie Stevens passed away Sunday evening, Sept. 16, 2018, at the Kavanagh House in Des Moines, after a hard and well-fought fight against breast cancer.

A time of remembrance and celebration of life will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25 at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton, who has been entrusted with the arrangements. Visitation and a fellowship time will be at the funeral home an hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Connie’s family or Iowa CareGivers. Burial will be in the Newton Memorial Park Cemetery.

Connie Louise Stevens, 79, was born Sept. 20, 1938, in Princeton, Mo. She was the daughter of Lee and Shirley (Nigh) Renfro. The family moved to Colfax, when she was 13, where she graduated from Colfax High School in 1956. On June 1, 1956, Connie was united in marriage with Jimmy T. Stevens in Newton, who was the love of her life.

She was employed with and retired from Newton Manufacturing where she worked as a supervisor. She was a consummate caregiver and many family members and friends were the recipients of her kind and gentle ways. She and Jimmy were Elvis fans and enjoyed time with family, camping, fishing and traveling to Florida and Tennessee to visit family after retirement. Connie also relished time going out to lunch or coffee with her special circle of lifelong friends and an occasional trip to the casino to play the slots. She also volunteered for Iowa CareGivers for more than 20 years.

Connie is survived by her mother, Shirley Renfro; sister, Di Findley; niece, Jennifer Swearngin (Jim); nephews, Bryce Swearngin (Bailey) and Addison Swearngin; her aunts, uncles and cousins; and her many good friends and neighbors.

She was preceded in death by her father, Lee Renfro; husband, Jimmy T. Stevens; great-nephew, Jacob Swearngin; and in-laws, Bert and Eunice Stevens. Online condolences may be left for the family at pencefh.com.