Dolores Edna Brand Stephens, 93

...

Dolores Edna Brand Stephens, 93, passed away among her friends at Monte Vista Estates Nursing Care Center on Sunday May 14, 2017.

Dolores was born in La Salle, Colorado, along with her twin sister, Doris, on December 15, 1923, to her parents Norman A. Brand and Wilhelmina “Minnie” (Zoeller) Brand. The Brands moved to a farm South of Monte Vista when the twins were about 3 years old.

Dolores married her high school sweetheart, Harvey Stephens, on June 21, 1942, at her parents’ home near Monte Vista.  They settled on the Stephens homestead on Swede Lane where they raised three daughters, Louise, LuEllen, and Lucille.

Dolores helped her husband and in-laws, Gladys and Alvin Stephens, on the family farm. She also worked as a waitress at Ma’s Hash House where she was known as “Smilie”. Then she began driving a school bus. This job led to her being an assistant secretary and lunchroom bookkeeper at the Monte Vista Elementary School, for many years. Many of the former students fondly remember Mrs. Stephens for her kindness and her smile. She enjoyed using her artistic talent to create bulletin board displays for the school and also for her church.

She was an active and dedicated member of First Presbyterian Church from the time of her marriage in 1942 until she fell on Christmas day in 2011, at which time she moved to Monte Vista Estates. (Juniper Village)

Dolores and Harvey enjoyed square dancing and had many excursions with the square dance groups, they danced in Europe. They also enjoyed going on trips with the Senior Citizens group. They visited many interesting places together.

Dolores helped at the Health Fair several years working in the blood processing center.

Certainly her greatest joy came from her deep love her Lord Jesus Christ. She served faithfully in her church as church clerk, Elder, Deacon and on many committees. Her greatest passion was teaching Sunday school. She taught for over 40 years and deeply loved all of her students.

Dolores is survived by her three daughters, Louise (Alex) Colville of Del Norte, LuEllen (Duane) Esarey of Yoder, and Lucille (Richard) Tubbs of Alamosa, six grandchildren, Kristi Powell, Toni Reynolds, Travis, Brandon and Gary Coffey, and Philip Lopez; along with seventeen great grandchildren, and  six great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Norman and Minnie Brand, her husband Harvey Stephens, sister Marie Thompson, brother Robert Brand, twin sister Doris Mead, and infant grandsons John and Matthew and great-grand daughter Khristina Roze.
Her family deeply appreciates the excellent, loving care she received at Monte Vista Estates for the past five years. Memorial contributions may be made to Monte Vista Estates or to First Presbyterian Church of Monte Vista in care of Strohmayer’s Funeral Home.

Her life was dedicated to her home and family. Dolores was a follower of Jesus Christ and lived her life in anticipation of being in his presence. She is now living the life she lived her life to live! Service will be Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 11:00 AM at The First Presbyterian Church in Monte Vista. Services will be directed by Strohmayer’s Funeral Home.