Helen Jean Stephens, 98, of Tama, passed away Thursday, December 1, 2016 at Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama. She will be laid to rest Thursday, December 8, 2016 in Santa Rosa Memorial Park in Santa Rosa, CA.


Helen was born on October 29, 1918, in Chester Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa, the daughter of Morris "Ben" and Lois Ethel (Sears) Thompson.
She graduated from Grinnell High School.
On June 5, 1948, she was united in marriage to Lloyd Stephens in Oakland, CA. Helen was a W.A.V.E. in the U.S. Navy during World War II where she met her husband who was in the U.S. Marines. She was a clerical worker for an insurance company. When Helen moved back to Iowa, she enjoyed time spent with family with lots of pie and coffee. She loved the time she spent in California and considered that home.
Survivors include one sister, Doris Flanagan of Tama; three nieces; one nephew; and several great nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Lloyd "Steve" in 1988; one sister, Mary Lee McCurry; and one brother, Laverne Thompson.