Donald Stephens

The memorial service for Donald Stephens, of Morris, Minnesota will be held on Monday, November 18, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home Chapel in Morris, with Reverend Chris Richards officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Monday one hour prior to services at Pedersen Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Summit Cemetery, Morris.

Donald Stephens, son of Loren and Arvilla (Zahl) Stephens was born in the middle of a snow storm on December 21, 1927, on the family farm in Pepperton Township near Alberta, Minnesota. It took the doctor three days to make it out to the farm to give Don his checkup. He attended rural school at District #60 and graduated from Morris High School in 1945. After his days in school Don would return to the farm where he would do chores into the evening. After his schooling, Don worked for the City of Morris and also in the trucking industry. He was united in marriage to Karen Ernst on February 24, 1959 at the Nazarene Church in Alberta. The couple made their home north of Morris, where they raised their only son, Allen “Butch”. Don began working for the State Highway Department out of Morris in 1965, a position he held for 27 years, retiring due to health reasons in 1992. Karen died on May 9, 2017. Don continued to live on the farm, where in recent years Butch and two special nurses helped care for him.

Known for his sharp-eye, Don loved pheasant and deer hunting. He also enjoyed fishing in his younger years. Don will be remembered for his work ethic, being as strong as an ox, and his caring heart.

Don died on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at Sanford Health in Fargo, North Dakota. He was 91 years old.

He is survived by his son: Allen “Butch” Stephens, Morris, MN; one sister: Carol Grotjohn, Breckenridge, MN; two sisters-in-law: Mary Lou Stephens, Calumet, MN, Karen Stephens, Herman, MN; and several nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, three brothers, Sam, Dick, and Bob, two sisters, Darlene Stephens and Vel Gausman, and two brothers-in-law, Robert Grotjohn, Bill Gausman.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of the funeral arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.pedersenfh.com.