The Life of PAULYNE MARY ELIZA STEVENS
Paulyne Stevens, born Mary Eliza Bailey, 84, died Thursday, November 3, 2011, at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines. She was born November 6, 1926, in Newton, IA, and raised in Brazil, IA by her grandmother, May Agnes Boyd Bates, and grandfather, John Bates. She attended school in Brazil, Mystic, and Centerville, IA. She married Dwight E. Stevens on November 27, 1943, and had two children Wesley Eugene (Carolyn) Stevens of New London, MN, and Debrah May (Ken) Pickering of Mitchellville, IA.
Polly was the first 2.5 lb premature child born in Newton to survive. Through her life she enjoyed creative activities, giving joy to those who knew her, and raising her children. Polly became known as a float maker. She designed floats from natural items such as milkweed silk, corn cobs, and flowers for Centerville Pancake Days, parades in Des Moines, and helped with a Rose Bowl Float. She worked as a florist, bank teller, and in retail sales. Polly’s sense of humor, compassion for others, and love of life will be her real legacy.
Polly was preceded in death by her husband, Dwight E. Stevens; her siblings, Yukona Hastie, Melba Pennock, Robert Bailey, Ernest Bailey, Mazda August, Vigil Bailey, Fannie Lawton, Ernest Bates, John Bates, Lillian Powell, Clyde Bates, and Stella Wendt; her mother, Mary Eliza Bailey, and her grandparents. Polly is survived by her son, Dr. Wesley E. (Carolyn) Stevens; daughter, Debrah M. (Ken) Pickering; grandchildren, Philip (Carla) Pickering, Michelle (Antonio) Tejeda; and Michael P. Stevens; step-grandchildren, Terry (Laurie) Pickering and Diane Foster; great-grandchildren, Devin and Kaylea Pickering, Mateo Tejeda, Abby and Jacob Hruska-Stevens; and step-great-grandchildren, Kimberly (Adam) Lawman, Michael and Dylan Signs, Brad (Angie) Foster, Holly (Don) Rios, Justin Pickering, Ty Pickering, and Mimi Castro.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, November 7, 2011 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines, with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, November 6, 2011 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Center at Luther Park in loving memory of Polly.