William Reed Stevenson

William (Bill) Reed Stevenson 93, of Spencer, Iowa passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Saturday, January 30, 2021.

Bill was born on March 14, 1927 in Elma, Iowa. The oldest son of James and Mary Stevenson. Bill went to school in the Cresco area before the family moved to Spencer.

On February 22, 1947 Bill married the love of his life Ardyce Colleen Tuschoff at the Methodist Parsonage in Spencer. The early years of their marriage were spent in Royal and Webb, Iowa where Bill farmed before moving to Spencer in 1960. At the time of Ardyce’s passing they had celebrated more than 72 years of marriage.

It was in 1960 that Bill started Bill Stevenson Construction. He loved all things construction. Whether it was a small remodel or building a new house, which he built quite a few in the Spencer area. He loved working with his hands and building things. Whether it was a new Christmas display for the front of the house to a new rocking horse for his kids and grandkids, he wasn’t afraid to tackle any project.

While the construction company was their business, first and foremost was their family. Bill and Ardyce were blessed with four sons.  David Stevenson of Las Vegas, NV. Dennis (Ardith) Stevenson and Gary (Liz) Stevenson both of Spencer, Iowa. Doug (Jodi) Stevenson of Sioux City, Iowa.

Bill and Ardyce followed the boys to whatever school event they were in. Whether it was a band concert, a play or sporting event. That love followed thru to supporting their grandkids as they grew up.

Bill and Ardyce were both active members of the First Christian Church of Spencer, serving on numerous committees over the years. Always willing to volunteer for any church function. They were also members of the Iowa Great Lakes Antique Auto Club where Bill loved driving his 1928 Ford Fast Delivery truck in parades. In their earlier years they enjoyed square dancing and playing card with friends.

Holidays were always big family gatherings and summers were spent at the Tuschoff cottage at Okoboji where there was always a gathering of friends or family.

In 1993 Bill and Ardyce retired and sold the business to their sons, Dennis and Gary. Free from the daily grind of work their energy turned to their other loves, gardening and following their grandkids. Bill and Arydce always planted a large garden at their son Dennis’s acreage. They would plant everything they could think of and then can it or freeze it to enjoy later. It would be a canning party every year when the sweet corn came in. Their deep freeze was always busting from the rewards of their harvest.

In their later years, Bill and Ardyce were famous for their pie making operations. Bill could peel apples with the best of them. Their system was a well-oiled assembly line of making apple pies and crisps.  Ardyce spent her final years in the nursing home and Bill would bake her favorite cake and take a piece to her every day. It was a big deal if he didn’t have all the ingredients on hand. One of his favorite things to do recently was watching all the kids play out in front of the house, whether thru the window or while sitting outside on the front porch he loved watching them play and they loved him.

Bill is survived by three brothers, Irvin (Marilyn) Stevenson and Gerald (Donna) Stevenson both of Spencer, Iowa and Francis (Stacia) Stevenson of Des Moines, Iowa. A brother-in law Robert Griffiths of Spirit Lake, Iowa, sister-in laws Lois McConkey of Lewistown, Montana and Alice Tuschoff of Austin, MN. His four sons and their spouses. 5 grandchildren Mitchell (Hillary) Stevenson of Spencer, Christopher (Karen) Stevenson of Ankeny, Iowa, Bethany Love of Sioux City, Iowa, Matthew (Jennie) Stevenson of Spencer, Emily (Pete) Widvey of Everly, Iowa. Bill is also survived by 14 great grandchildren, Trevor, Audrey, Hallie, Ty, Ben, Cole, Cameryn, Caleb, Ashlyn, Anneliese, Ruby, Everett, Jackson & Greta. Also numerous nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ardyce, brothers Donnie and Cleatus Stevenson, sisters Delores Brown, Alice VonHolt and Geraldine Christofferson.

 The family has established a memorial fund and requests donations to the fund instead of flowers.

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