Thomas Ernest Stephenson, a beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away on June 10, 2026 of natural causes at the age of 92. Born in Waverly, Iowa on Dec 7,1933 he was the second son of George August and Florence Wilhelmina (Sack) Stephenson. He had a life well lived.
Tom graduated from Wartburg College before earning his degree in physical therapy from the University of Iowa College of Medicine. His work gave him joy and many stories to tell of courageous and interesting people. He lived a life dedicated to helping others, with a fondness for the elderly. His approach with patients was to keep them talking about something they loved which made treatments more bearable. At retirement Tom was the Director of Physical Therapy at Skiff Hospital in Newton, Iowa.
On September 11, 1955, he married Sally Jane Evans. The two met at the University of Iowa making them lifelong Hawkeyes. They shared 47 loving years of marriage and together raised three kind and loving children until her passing on September 18, 2002. Four years later, he married longtime friend Myrtilla Levin, on September 06, 2006. They traveled, played golf and cribbage and shared 20 years together before Myrts’ passing on January 13, 2026.
Tom loved the game of baseball. He played for Wartburg College and Club Ball after college. He often shared stories about his summers at home from U of I and the many friends he made playing baseball. He was an avid St Louis Cardinals fan and on his 80th birthday was thrilled to enjoy a game with his three grown children at Busch Stadium. He became an avid golfer after his baseball playing days and raised his sons to love the game. He had two hole-in-ones in his long golf career. A par on the 17th hole at Carnoustie in Scotland, witnessed by his son, George, was a feat never accomplished by the legendary Tom Watson on the same course. He was known as a gentleman and played golf by the rules, but never missed an opportunity for a witty comeback when presented in both the golf game and his everyday life. He genuinely missed the golf game as he aged.
Tom will be deeply missed by his sons, Scott (Patti) of Beaumont, California and George (Debi) of Dubuque, Iowa; son-in-law, Kevin Vander Ecken of Lacona, Iowa and his sister-in-law, Ann (Jerry) Frame of Granby, Colorado. His six granddaughters; Gretchen (Jeff) Burch, Johnna (partner Ryan Pinegar) Vander Ecken, Emily (Nick) Dawson, Sarah Montgomery, Samantha (Steven) Williams and Sophie (fiancee Davis Nelson) Stephenson and one grandson, McCormick Thomas Stephenson. 11 great grandchildren; Jasper and Ryder Burch, Evelyn and Luke Dawson, Oliver Pinegar, Jack Montgomery, Isla and Cade Williams and Amelia, Georgie and Elovie Nelson.
He will also be remembered by Myrts children, Jack (Annette) Levin, Stacy (Matt) Bogart and Ann (Scott) Kiesel and their children.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Gomer and Helen Evans, his brother Richard Edward Stephenson, his two loving wives, dear friend Jack Levin and a wonderful daughter, Kathryn Ann Vander Ecken.
All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
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