Cathy Stephens, 74 of Malvern, IA, passed away on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at the UNMC in Omaha. Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at the Charles E. and Florence M. Lakin Community Center in Malvern. Loess Hills Funeral Home in Malvern is caring for Cathy and her family.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials are to Tanner Foss Project or Malvern United Methodist Church
Catherine Ann Stephens, 74 of Malvern, IA, passed away peacefully surround by her family on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at the UNMC in Omaha.
Cathy was born on January 10, 1948 Council Bluffs, Iowa, the youngest of two children of Charles Ellsworth "Elly" and Jean Evelyn (Creamer) Smith. She grew up on the farm in the Wesley Chapel area northwest of Hastings, Iowa and attended school at Hastings through the 6th grade. When the Malvern school district and the Nishna Valley schools went through consolidation, Cathy attended and graduated from Malvern High School in 1966. She was employed at the Malvern Trust & Savings Bank for 34 years until her retirement.
Cathy married her high school sweetheart, Dale LaVerne Stephens, on September 22, 1967 in the Wesley Chapel Church. They made their home in Malvern and were blessed with two daughters, Leslie and Janella.
Cathy was a busy wife and mother. She was a member of the Malvern United Methodist Church and past member of Eastern Star. Cathy enjoyed sewing and taking care of her flowers. She enjoyed baking and was a fabulous cook, always ready to feed family and friends with her homemade goodies. Cathy loved visits from her family and friends, no one was a stranger. She loved her family, especially her grandchildren, and great grandchildren, who were her pride and joy. Cathy was a wonderful daughter, wife, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and a good friend to all who knew and loved her.
Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, Elly and Jean Smith; grandson Tanner Foss; older brother Roger Smith and wife Anne; in-laws, Forrest and Carol Stephens; and brothers-in-law, David and Larry Stephens.
Cathy is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Dale Stephens of Malvern; daughters, Leslie (Kevin) Whitehill of Malvern, and Janella (Mike) May of Silver City, IA; grandchildren, Chandler Foss of Oak Creek, WI, Drake Foss of Malvern, Ellie Foss of Malvern, Alyssa (Shawn) Wiser of Council Bluffs, IA, Hallee (Eric) Cochran of Plattsmouth, NE, Reagan Whitehill of Tabor, IA, and Cynthia Whitehill of Omaha, NE; great grandchildren, Easton, Isaiah, Gabriella, and Maverick; nieces, nephews, cousins and their families; and many friends.
Tributes
Lyn Silcock wrote on Sep 12, 2022:
"So sorry for your loss, Leslie and Janella. Cathy was so warmhearted. She welcomed our family to Malvern when it turned out our house was in the Malvern school district even though we lived closer to Tabor. Once I met Cathy, I knew we'd be okay in Malvern."
Kelli James wrote on Sep 10, 2022:
"Shawn and I send all our love today. Kathy was a bright and loving light. She always welcomed me into her home and was so supportive. Her love for her family was obvious and clear. She will be missed but her love lives on in her family. Kelli "
Judy Travis Farwell wrote on Sep 10, 2022:
"Dale and family, we are so sorry to hear of Cathy's passing. She was such a sweet lady. Time will never heal the pain of your loss, but it also will not take away your memories. Prayers for you all and God Bless her memory."
Brenda Mathers Scott wrote on Sep 10, 2022:
"Praying for you Dale and family. God bless you with peace and comfort! Cathy will always be remembered as a loving, kind woman that welcomed all. She will be missed."
Bill Blackburn wrote on Sep 8, 2022:
"I knew Cathy since she started school with me in Malvern in the seventh grade. In all those years, I never heard her utter an unflattering word about someone else, nor heard anyone else say something unflattering about her. She was charming, always smiling and positive, and the sweetest person you could know. Early on, Dale and she realized they were met for each other, and formed a rock-solid marriage and family, a rare model for all of us. Her passing leaves a huge void in so many people's lives. My heart goes out to Dale and the family at this time of enormous loss. "
Pat Johnson wrote on Sep 7, 2022:
"We are so sorry to hear of Cathy's passing. We send our condolences to the entire family and keeping you in our prayers. Eddie, Pat Johnson and family"
Linda Wooten wrote on Sep 7, 2022:
"Harry and I want to offer our deepest sympathy to Dale and the Stephens family. Cathy was a wonderful high school friend. We spent many wonderful moments together. I will always remember her smile and warm personality. I never was able to see her often through the years but when we were back to visit in Malvern I would always go to the bank to see her. We could always pick up where we left off as friends. May God welcome her into his kingdom with open arms.
"
Penny McDaniel wrote on Sep 7, 2022:
"Cathy was always a friendly smile at the bank and made you feel like her favorite customer. My prayers for Dale, the girls and grandchildren as she leaves a hole that will be hard to fill."
Amanda Jenson wrote on Sep 6, 2022:
"Dale, Leslie, Janella, and family, I?m so sorry for the loss of this dear woman! She always greeted me with a smile, and helped me make my 1st deposit as a terrified teenager at The Malvern Bank! May God wrap you in his loving arms. Hugs?"
Judy Waller Poland wrote on Sep 6, 2022:
"My heart is heavy, but my mind is full of all the times we had together. From fun rides in the Mustang, your wedding, snowball fights, cards, and great friends!!!!!!!! I could go on, but really just wanted you all to know that I'm sending my love & thoughts to you all."
gary Jackson wrote on Sep 6, 2022:
"I am so very sorry for your loss!! Prayers to Dale and family for God's comfort and peace!!!Cathy was a Great Lady!!"
Julie. Wirth wrote on Sep 6, 2022:
"I am so sorry for your loss.Thoughts and prayers to all of you."
Joy Schultz wrote on Sep 6, 2022:
"Dale and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. I have such wonderful memories of spending time at your house with Greg and Bonnie when all the girls were little. Cathy always made me feel so welcome. I am praying for strength for you to find your way through this difficult time."
Joy Schultz wrote on Sep 6, 2022:
"Dale and family, I am so sorry for your great loss. I have wonderful memories of spending time at your home, with Greg and Bonnie, when all the girls were little. Cathy always made me feel so very welcome. I'll be praying for strength for you all to find your way through this very hard time."
Joanna Osler wrote on Sep 6, 2022:
"Dale, Leslie, Janella, and your families,
So sorry for the loss of your soulmate and mother. I didn?t know Cathy well, but she always had a big smile on her face and made you feel welcome. Your sweet memories of her will live within your hearts forever."
Sandra Stogdill Campbell wrote on Sep 6, 2022:
"Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss of Cathy. I have known her since our days at Hastings Public School. She was always, always such a friendly person, with a sweet smile. May you all find comfort in her love and memory. Sandy Stogdill Campbell"
Mary Tornquist wrote on Sep 6, 2022:
"I am so very sorry for your loss. Cathy was one of the first people I met when we moved here 39 years ago and I considered her a dear friend. May God visit you with peace and healing."