Connie Stephen, 81 of Montezuma passed away Thursday, October 29, 2026 at Story Point Assisted Living and Memory Care in Ankeny. Funeral services are currently pending and will be posted later today or tomorrow morning. 

Connie Joan Stephen, the daughter of Loren and Verna (Benson) Piersel, was born on October 1, 1945, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She grew up between Deep River and Millersburg attending Deep River-Millersburg School. On August 12, 1962, she married Dennis Ritchie, and together they welcomed four children: Roxanne, Rodney, Rhonda, and Kelly. After Dennis's passing, Connie married Terry Stephen on September 4, 1976, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. To this union one son was born, Byron.

Connie was dedicated to her work, spending 18 years as a custodian for the Montezuma School District and assisting in the kitchen with washing dishes and baking cookies. Her career also included roles at Amana Refrigeration, Montezuma Manufacturing, and Montezuma Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. A woman of many talents, Connie enjoyed shopping, crafting, gardening, cooking, and baking. Her flower garden and yard work brought her joy, and she cherished attending Montezuma School retiree luncheons. In her role as a grandmother, Connie actively supported her grandchildren’s activities, arriving extra early. She found pleasure in traveling to Gays Mills, WI, particularly in the fall, to admire the leaves and pick up some apples and large mums but most of all enjoying her apple donuts. Connie's life was a testament to her dedication to family, work, and community. Connie moved to Story Point Assisted Living and Memory Care where she made many friends and was very active with their activities. Her memory will be cherished by all who knew her.

Her memory will be cherished by her children, Roxanne (Mike) Hicks of Montezuma, Rhonda Ritchie of Discovery Bay, CA, Kelly (Brian) Van Wyk of Monroe and Byron (Margaux) Stephen of Madison, NJ; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Terry Stephen; a son, Rod Ritchie; a grandson, Zain Van Wyk and her sister, Beverly (Dean) Heishman.