Robert Lewis Stephenson, 93

Published 7:01 am Sunday, February 28, 2016

Stephenson

Stephenson

Robert Lewis Stephenson, 93, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Feb. 25, 2016.

He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on April 7, 1922, to Ann Lewis Stephenson and Albert Knute Stephenson, and was named after his maternal grandfather.

He attended Winona Public Schools and graduated in 1941. Following graduation, he attended Austin Junior College, the University of Minnesota and Montana State College. He married Beverlee Jean Webber on June 24, 1943, in Bozeman, Montana, while serving in the U.S. Army Air Force. Beverlee preceded him in death in November of 2005.

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During his career as an independent insurance agent for Webber-Stephenson Insurance Agency in Austin, Bob was involved in the Chamber of Commerce, Toastmasters and Rotary Club of Austin. He was also a member of the Austin Country Club for many years. Bob and Beverlee’s greatest joys were family, friends and traveling. They traveled to Europe, Australia, and Africa and after retiring, spent winters in Palm Springs, California. They were devoted grandparents and loved sharing time and wonderful stories with their seven grandchildren.

Bob and Beverlee raised four children: Sandra Lee (Larry) Stordahl of Prior Lake, Minnesota, Dr. Jon (Pam) Stephenson of Superior, Wisconsin, Suzanne Karen (Rundy) Davenport of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and Richard Lewis (Syd) Stephenson of Decorah, Iowa. They had seven grandchildren: Erik (Dr. Kathryn) Stordahl, Kristin Stordahl (Travis) DeBoer, Karyn (Ben) Utecht, Dr. Jon William (Shawnee) Stephenson, Dr. Kate Stephenson (Dr. Zach) Beresford, Dr. Chip (Randell) Davenport and Blake (Mallory) Davenport. They also had eight grandchildren: Elleora, Katriel, Amy and Haven Utecht, Braden and Connor DeBoer, Ben Beresford, Emma Stephenson and Ella and Luke Davenport.

Robert requested that his body be donated to Mayo Medical School for the purpose of education and research. The family plans a celebration of life to be held at a later date.