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Stephen DeVries Obituary
Grinnell - Stephen William DeVries, son of Hans DeVries and Mary Lou (Kamerick) DeVries, was born on May 5, 1951 in Oskaloosa, IA. During his early childhood, the family lived in several towns in Iowa before settling in central Iowa. Steve attended public schools in Sigourney and Newton until he completed the 8th grade. Steve won a scholarship to attend Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH, where he completed high school, followed by a degree in Civil Engineering earned from Stanford University.
After marrying his high school sweetheart, Pauline Van Maaren, in 1972, Steve returned to Iowa and started a career in engineering. Over their 47-year marriage, Steve and Pauline raised two children and lived in Marshalltown, Maquoketa, and Glenwood, before settling in central Iowa, where Steve spent 20 years as the executive director of the Iowa County Engineers Association Service Bureau, a computer center for county engineers across Iowa. Steve retired in May 2018 at age 67.
Steve was an avid bicyclist, photographer, railroad enthusiast, and amateur glacial geologist. In 2018, he and Pauline enjoyed a wonderful summer visiting their children and traveling throughout the United States. Steve also achieved a lifetime goal of bicycling Missouri's Katy Trail end to end, without skipping a mile, before he and his wife moved to their forever home in Grinnell, Iowa.
Steve is survived by his wife Pauline of Grinnell, IA, his son Aaron of Ypsilanti, MI, his daughter Stephanie of New York, NY, his aunt Lena of Kaltenkirchen, Germany, his brother John (Lori) of Waterloo, IA, his brother Charles (Esther) of Bethesda, MD, and 23 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother James of Herblay, France.
Visitation will be held at 9:30 am on Friday, May 24, 2019, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 10:30 am. Both will be held at Caldwell Parrish in Urbandale, IA. A luncheon will follow the service at Creekside Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to the American Cancer Society and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Stephen DeVries
Sponsored by Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory - Urbandale Chapel.
May 21, 2019
Thoughts and Prayers
Kathy Gray
May 21, 2019
Charles,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May the love of family and friends comfort you all.
Tollif and Anjali De Jong
April 22, 2019
We were very sorry to hear of Steve's passing. Our hearts and sincere condolences go out to you and the family.
Cindi Cupp
April 19, 2019
Pauline,
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family on the loss of your beloved one. Take care.
Cindi Cupp
Justin Daley
April 17, 2019
My condolences Pauline, Steve was such a caring and intelligent man.
Nancy Heuer
April 16, 2019
Pauline, Aaron & Stephanie, my heart goes out to each of you. May your many family memories together, continue to make you smile.
With much love,
Nancy Heuer
April 16, 2019
Working with Steve was a joy. Serving as the lobbyist for County Supervisors, Steve was always forth right in sharing his talents. The State of Iowa was going to miss him upon his retirement, now all of use will miss him.
Mike Wentzien
612 6th Street
Gladbrook, Iowa
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results
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Memorial Events
for Stephen DeVries
May
24
Visitation
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory - Urbandale Chapel8201 Hickman Rd., Urbandale, IA 50322
May
24
Celebration of Life
10:30 a.m.
Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory - Urbandale Chapel8201 Hickman Rd., Urbandale, IA 50322
Funeral services provided by:
Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory - Urbandale Chapel8201 Hickman Rd., Urbandale, IA 50322
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