Brook Stephens

Rev. Brook Stephens, who was to be 85 on July 30th, died peacefully on Friday, July 24, 2015 in Sioux Center, IA. A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5-8PM, with the family present from 5-7PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11:00AM at the Carmel Reformed Church of rural Rock Valley with Rev. Dr. Verlyn Boone officiating. A private family committal service will be held at Carmel Cemetery of rural Rock Valley. The Stephens family prefer memorials to Bridge of Hope Ministries of Sioux Center, IA. Reverend Ben Brook Stephens was born on July 30, 1930 in Los Angeles, California. He was born to Carter and Kathryn "Kay" Stephens. Brook grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas and Kansas City, Missouri until attending military school. Brook married Carol J. Dykema on August 28, 1954. Brook was called to the ministry with his first pastorate with the Reformed Church of America being in Evansdale, Iowa. He then served the Lord at Carmel, Iowa, Wyoming, Michigan and Lynwood, Illinois. Brook retired in 1995 and he and Carol returned to Sioux Center, Iowa. Brook is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Lori Horstman of Sioux Falls; daughter, Tami (Mark) Kopriva of Urbandale, IA; son, Randon (Karen) Stephens of Colorado Springs, CO; nine grandchildren: Brittney (Nelson) Alfaro, Shalee Horstman, Keegan Horstman, Tyler (Shelly) Kopriva, Dylan (Susan) Kopriva, Levi Dietrich, Jordan (Travis) Petersen, Brook Stephens, Connor Stephens; seven great-grandchildren; his sister, Jeanie Rogers and two brothers: John (Donna) Thompson and Rick (Annette) Thompson. Brook's passion in life was his ministry. There were many things he pursued, taught, urged and promoted for the love of his Lord and Savior. He was always on a crusade to change the world to the better. There are many lives that he has touched and has left a lasting impression on. His final message he left to us before he passed was "I will be looking for you to join me at the party in Eternity".