Don Stevenson was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa on September 14th, 1934. He grew up on a small farm outside of Pocahontas, Iowa. He attended a one-room school in grades 1-8, just down the road from his home. He graduated from Pocahontas High School, where he was an excellent student and a stand-out athlete. As he grew up, he had many adventures with his dear friend Dennis Johnson. During his high school years, Don's dream was to attend college and become an electrical engineer.

Although his parents wanted him to stay home and farm, Don left to attend Luther Junior College in Wahoo, Nebraska. He played football there and was a member of an intermural basketball team called "The Dilberts." Don sang in the Luther College Choir. One of the ways Don paid for his education was by giving haircuts to other students at Luther. His second year at Luther, Don met Phyllis Johnson. Once they began dating, each realized that the other was the person with whom they wanted to spend the rest of their lives. After Luther College, Don finished his engineering degree at Iowa State University. Phyllis and Don married before Don's senior year, and Phyllis supported them on her salary of $170 a month. Don was working as an engineer when he was drafted into the army. After basic training, he was discharged because his work was considered essential to national defense. Don and Phyllis's oldest daughter Barb was born before he was released from the army, so he met me when I was 6 weeks old.

One of Don's early work experiences as an engineer was a stint in Alamagordo, New Mexico at a military test site.

Don and Phyllis's second daughter, Liane, was born while they lived in Muskego, Wisconsin, and third daughter Sharon and son Tim were born in Minneapolis where Don began working for Honeywell in 1961. There he designed flight control and targeting systems for military aircraft. Don later earned his Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He continued his career as an engineer at Honeywell until 1992, eventually becoming director of engineering for military avionics. Don and Phyllis lived most of their working years in New Brighton, Minnesota.

As a family, the Stevensons took many long camping trips to national parks and campgrounds throughout the country, and within Minnesota, especially at Leech Lake.
Don and Phyllis always enjoyed singing in church choir, and Don served as a deacon at North Heights Lutheran Church in Roseville for many years.
Dad enjoyed being active, especially playing tennis, golf, fishing and watersports.

After retiring, Don designed and built their retirement lake home in Howard Lake, Minnesota. Mom and Dad took many wonderful trips around the world. He also had a woodworking shop in their garage. This was a hobby he continued for quite a few years. He made beautiful items which he shared with their family. They also enjoyed many winters in Arizona, where they spent time with Mom's sister Rhoda, her husband Roger, and many other friends and relatives and they continued to travel.
Don and Phyllis sold their lake home and moved to Plymouth, Minnesota in 2009. At that time, they became members of Calvary Lutheran Church, where they sang in the choir, participated in small groups and made many wonderful friends. They took trips with dear friends Carol and MeRoy Lillehaugen, and Dad often mentioned his wonderful friendship with Mal Wigg. MeRoy has continued to visit Dad throughout these years. His faithful friendship with Dad was a huge blessing.

In 2018, Don and Phyllis moved to Covenant Living in Golden Valley, where they lived for several years. In 2020, Don was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. He moved to the Memory Care area of Covenant Living in 2022. After 66 years of marriage, living apart from each other was very difficult for Mom and Dad. When Mom came for her daily visits, Dad's face would light up with a huge smile. They would share a kiss, hold hands, work together on jigsaw puzzles, and enjoy all of the time they had together.

A few short weeks ago, Dad fell and broke his hip. After his hip replacement surgery, he declined quite rapidly, and died on the evening on October 13th. Although we will dearly miss our dear husband, dad, grandfather and friend, his last years were very challenging. We are so thankful that he is fully healed and restored, in the presence of his Lord and Savior.

Memorial service Monday, October 21 at 11 am with visitation 1 hour prior at Calvary Lutheran Church 7520 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley. Inurnment following at Calvary Lutheran Columbarium.

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels - Glen Haven Chapel on Oct. 15, 2024.