Yvonne Stephens

Yvonne Bernice Stephens was born to Frank and Mayda (Ager) Moody on March 1, 1940 in Ree Heights, South Dakota. She departed this life on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at the Bethany Home in Minden, Nebraska at the age of 79.

Her childhood days were spent riding horses, gardening with her Dad, hunting with her Mom, learning how to can, bake and cook.  She finished her schooling in 1957.

She married Donald Earl Cable in 1956. Four daughters were born into this union.  Robin (Randy) Sporrer  Miller, SD, Donna (Randy) George o Hansen, NE, Brenda (Robert) Haseman of Iroquois, SD, Sarah (Brent) Woodman of Kenesaw, Nebraska.  They moved to Alva, Oklahoma where Yvonne obtained her college degree in nutrition. They then moved to Pierre, South Dakota where they owned and operated a convenience store called the Toot and Scoot.  They divorced and Yvonne and the girls moved and made their home in Ree Heights, South Dakota.  She worked in the local café owned by the local Legion Post that her Mom ran.  While here she met William Howard (Bill) Stephens.  They were married at a private ceremony at the courthouse in Pierre, South Dakota and later celebrated with family and friends.  To this union a son was born, Elbert Browning (Bert) Stephens II (Summer) Fallon, Nevada.

The family moved to the Quirk Ranch located between Ree Heights and Highmore, SD.  In 1976 they were transferred to Quirks’ Ranch outside of Red Cloud. Yvonne soon after became the dietary/nutrition director of Webster County Senior Services.  Eventually she became the Webster County Senior Services Coordinator in charge of planning meals at the Center, managing Meals on Wheels program, budgeting, grant writing and obtaining funding to start a county wide transportation service for Seniors in Webster County.

She loved bowling and belonged to three leagues where she was an active officer for many years.  She also helped start a youth bowling league on Saturdays.  She had a love for softball and spent many years coaching her daughter’s softball teams.

Yvonne also was a strong supporter of 4-H.  She helped her daughters and son with their projects, in South Dakota and continued on into her time in Nebraska where she served as a leader of a local group.  Her children’s projects ranged from sewing to the arts of the kitchen, showing pets and large animals.  After her children were out of 4-H she continued to travel to other counties as a judge in pocket pets, cats and dogs.

When Yvonne had time she loved to go fishing and if a grandchild would accompany her it would bring her great joy. Yvonne also had a great love for the Nebraska Huskers.  Back in the days of CB Radios she enjoyed conversing with others with her handle being Annie Oakley.  You could spot Yvonne at her grandchildren’s sporting events, concerts and other activities where of course she thought that they were the greatest.

Later in life Yvonne started her journey with genealogy, traveling and taking pictures and putting together an extensive family tree.  It always brought great joy to her when she located new family members.

Yvonne will always be remembered for her barefoot gardening, love of all nature, her baked beans and smashed meat.  She hated to clean but loved to cook and bake.  She taught her children to work hard, can veggies, cook and bake.

She is survived by her daughters, son, sister Charlotte Christopherson Miller SD, Sister In Law Cherri (John) Knippling Gann Valley SD. Grandchildren Shane (Kim), Eric (Sarah) and Cody (Summer) Sporrer.  Grant and Travis (Lea) Marsh.  Megan McBride. AJ (Arryn), Lexi and Brant George.  LaTisha (Josh) DeLong, Lindsay (Jacob) Stumpf, Brittany (Christopher) Roberts, Breandra (Justin) Lackey.   Zane (fiancé Taylor), Wyatt and Carson Woodman.  Elizabeth, Madeline and Poppy Stephens.  Great Grandchildren Samantha, Xavier, Hunter, Isabella, Caden, Emma, Paige and Elias Sporrer.  Grayson, Hudson and Caroline Marsh.  Alivia George.  Taylor and Cash McBride.  Corbin Hoit.  Kayden and Bentley DeLong.  Davian Hoit.  Arlyanah and Brekyn Stumpf.   Evah Roberts.   Serenity  Flesner.  Jaylee and Xander  Lackey.  Great Grandson Thaddeus Friesen.  Left to cherish her memory are the wonderful staff members of Bethany Home in Minden, NE.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband William (Bill) Stephens; brother Edward Moody;  Granddaughter,  Christine Yvonne Flesner;  Great Grandson Damion Hoit; her mother-in-law, Carol Stephens and a sister-in-law, Dixie Stephens.

Funeral services were Friday, 10:00 AM, October 11, 2019 at the Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud with the Rev. Gary Bennett officiating.

Interment graveside services were Saturday, 11:00 AM, October 12, 2019 at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Gann Valley, South Dakota with Pastor Roger Day officiating.

A memorial fund has been established by the family.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970

Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com

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