Perry D Stevens

Perry Daniel Stevens, a devoted husband, father, pastor, and veteran, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2025, at the age of 88, in a care facility in Platte, South Dakota, following a six-year battle with Parkinson's disease.
Born on December 14, 1936, in Waterloo, Iowa, to John and Adelia Grant Stevens, Perry was the youngest of six children, all of whom were born in Waterloo. He grew up in a large, close-knit family and attended local schools, graduating from West High School. It was there that he met his high school sweetheart, Marcella Mae Augustson. The couple married on January 1, 1957, beginning a lifelong journey together.
Perry proudly served his country in the United States Air Force, achieving the rank of E-6 in the Strategic Air Command. He was stationed in Plattsburgh, New York, and completed tours of duty in England, Korea, and Vietnam. During his military service, Perry and Marcella welcomed their first two daughters: Sandra Lynn in 1959 and Marie Suzanne, in 1961.
After leaving the Air Force, the family returned to Waterloo, Iowa, where Perry transitioned to civilian life. They expanded their family with the births of son Robert Scott on July 7, 1963; daughter Lisa Raye on June 14, 1966; son Andrew Thomas on September 6, 1970; and their youngest son, Charles John, on February 5, 1972. Perry worked in the train, plane, and automotive industries until 1977, when he felt a spiritual calling to enter the ministry. He became a pastor in West Union, Iowa, serving there for five years before transferring to Marshalltown, Iowa, to lead the Marshalltown Wesleyan Methodist Church.
Tragedy struck in 1989 when Marcella was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away in September of that year. Perry later shifted his ministry to serve as a prison chaplain in Newton, Iowa, where he was blessed to meet, and marry Ellen Stevens. They were married 36 years, until his passing. Together, they moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and Perry assisted in pastoring a small church community in Cummings, Iowa. Upon retirement, Perry dedicated his time to volunteering at the Des Moines Veterans Hospital, where he touched hundreds of lives by sharing his faith and helping others find solace in Jesus.
In his later years, Perry and Ellen relocated to Platte, South Dakota, for specialized care as his Parkinson's progressed.
Perry is survived by his loving wife, Ellen Stevens; daughters Sandra (Rod) and Marie (Steve); and son Charley (Caitlin). He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marcella Augustson Stevens; sons Robert Scott Stevens and Andrew Thomas Stevens; and daughter Lisa Raye Stevens.