Kathryn Charlene Stevenson-Stevens was born May 26, 1926 in Monroe County, Iowa the daughter of Shirley Westbrook Townsend and Bertha Gladys McDanel Townsend.

Charlene was raised in Appanoose County, Iowa where she attended country school and started Moravia High School. She later graduated from Knoxville High School. Charlene was united in marriage to James Homer Weldon on June 21, 1942 in Centerville, Iowa. To this union four children were born: Jerry James, Melvin Craig, Marilyn Joyce “Jo” and Paulette Diane “Dee”. Charlene raised the children and worked on the family farm. She later worked for Collins Hospital and Pella Corp. She married Harry Stevenson in September of 1978. Following her retirement, Charlene worked part-time at the Knoxville Recreation Center. She also volunteered at the Knoxville Senior Citizens Center, Marion County Historical Society, Friends of the Knoxville Public Library and Christ’s Church. Charlene also played in the Senior Center Kitchen Band. In October of 2006 she married Charles Earl Stevens.

Charlene was a happy person and always had a smile for others. She loved children of all ages and she helped start a new 4-H club and was a leader for 10 years. She previously held many church offices including secretary, board, deaconess and Sunday school teacher. She was a seamstress and sewed clothes for her children. Charlene’s greatest treasure was her family and she cherished every one of them.

Charlene passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at Accura of Knoxville at the age of 100 years.

In addition to her parents, Charlene was preceded in death by 3 husbands; son, Melvin Weldon; brothers: Shirley Townsend, Jr. and Leroy Townsend and her sister Pauline Coop passed 3 hours before Charlene; son-in-laws: Ray Ellison, Jay Brown and Terry Heigele and a great-grandson, Josiah Webb.

Those left to cherish Charlene’s memory include her children: Jerry (Sheila) Weldon, Jo Heigele and Dee (Marion) Alexander; daughter-in-law, Shirley Ellison; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great grandchildren and many other family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Marion County Humane Society, the United Way of Marion County, Iowa, or Marion County, Iowa Habitat for Humanity.