STEPHENS, Donald James "Don" - b. March 8, 1947 - d. April 6, 2023

[patyrn]

Donald James "Don" Stephens, age 76,  of southern Greenwood County, Kansas, died April 6, 2023 while tending to his land.  He was born March 6, 1947 in Winfield, Kansas, the son of John James and Nina Elva (Powers) Stephens of Burden, Kansas.

Raised in rural Elk County, Kansas, Don graduated from Moline High School in Moline, Kansas with the Class of 1965.  He attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science in 1969.  After graduation, Don enlisted in the United States Army to serve in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1971.

After his military service, Don returned to Kansas, working as a 4-H agent for K-State Extension in Rice County, Kansas for three years.  On November 22, 1975, Don was united in marriage to Janet Kay (Jan) Frankenbery in Altoona, Kansas.  They made their home in southern Greenwood County.  Don started Rafter S Ranch and farmed with his family.  There they raised their two children, Clint and Sara.

Don was a member of the K-State Alumni Association, the Greenwood County Cattlemen's Association, First United Methodist Church in Eureka, Kansas, and had served on the local boards of Farm Bureau and Soil Conservation.  He was a fan of K-State football and all baseball, especially his granddaughter's softball team, and the Kansas City Royals.

Don is survived by his wife, Jan; his children, Clint and Trina Ramirez Stephens of Lawrence, Kansas and Sara and Jay Shivers of Greenwood County, Kansas; his grandchildren, Stella and Margot Shivers and Fiona and Felix Mawhirter; and his brother, Larry Stephens of Winfield, Kansas.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Roger Stephens and Harry Stephens.

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Eureka, Kansas with Rev. Linda Pope officiating.  Following the service, a reception with the family will be held.  A private family inurnment will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Eureka, Kansas.  The family reuests that memorial donations be made for the Greenwood County 4-H Foundation.  Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 595, Eureka, Kansas 67045 which has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Koup Family Funeral Home website)