Mary Stephens

Celebration of Life Gathering for Mary Stephens, 94, of Knoxville, will be held Thursday,
August 14, 2025, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in
Knoxville. A private family burial will be held at the Gosport Cemetery.
Memorials may be made in care of Mary's family and will be designated at a later date.
Mary was born on March 20, 1931, to John and Mary Rinehart in Chariton, Iowa. She
grew up near Knoxville, Iowa and loved working on the family farm. Her sisters were
always inside helping mom while she would stay outside and help dad.
For a short while, Mary lived in Texas, which is also where her first son, Chris, was born.
The two later moved back to Iowa, where Mary married the love of her life, John
Stephens, in 1957. Shortly after moving to New Mexico and coming back to Iowa,
Mary’s second son, Cal was born in Knoxville, where the family decided to stay.
Through the years, the Stephens family tree had grown. Mary’s greatest joy in life was
being a mother and a grandmother. The loss of her husband in 2011 and her son Chris
in 2023 were extremely hard on Mary, but she is now reunited with them.
There were many things in life that Mary did for an occupation. Staying local throughout
the years, she worked for a lawyer in Knoxville, Maytag in Newton, West Elementary
school in the office, the V.A. office in Knoxville (for 20+ years), and as a secretary at the
Presbyterian Church in Knoxville.
Mary always cared more about others than she did herself and had a very kind and
loving heart. Many hours were devoted to showering her grandchildren with love and
attention. She leaves behind a lifetime legacy of wonderful memories with the ones she
loved.
As Mary got older, she was lucky enough to stay in her house and have her grandson
stay and care for her. There weren’t very many moments she wasn’t surrounded by her
family or friends.
Mary passed away August 6, 2025, at the Knoxville Hospital. Preceding her in death
were her parents: John and Mary Rinehart; husband, John Stephens; and son, Chris
Stephens.
Mary will be greatly missed by her son, Cal Stephens; grandchildren: John Stephens
and Katie House; great grandsons: Kaiden and Kason House; along with many relatives
and friends.