Stephens, Pfc. John Lee 1924-1945

STEPHENS, GEERING

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/1/2012 at 19:01:29

Algona Upper Des Moines
May 3, 1945

JOHN L. STEPHENS KILLED IN ACTION ON WEST FRONT

Pfc. John Lee Stephens was killed in action in Germany on April 18, 1945, according to word received Wednesday morning in Algona by his wife, the former Betty Lee Geering. John Lee was with the medical corps, in the 2nd Infantry of the 1st Army, and had been serving in Germany since December, and overseas since September. No details as to how he met his death have yet been received, but a letter is expected soon from the War Department.

John Lee was born June 6, 1924, at Martinsburg, Mo., and was therefore not quite 21 years of age. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Stephens, who moved to Algona some eight or ten years ago when Mr. Stephens took over the rural mail routes out of Algona. Following his graduation in 1942, John Lee was employed at the Sorensen Grocery until he entered the service on May 17, 1943. The following July 24, he was married to Betty Lee Geering, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Geering, and they are the parents of a daughter, Mary Ann, born November 13, 1944.

Besides his wife, daughter and parents, John Lee is survived by four brothers and a sister. Two of the brothers, Lt. J. N. Stephens in the field artillery in the Philippines, and Pvt. Donovan Stephens, Virginia, are in the service. The other two brothers are Sam Loche Stephens, of Newport News, Va., and Keith Stephens, who farms near Algona. The sister is Mrs. Marvin Jacobsen, of Emmetsburg.

Mrs. Stephens last heard from her husband in a letter that was written April 3d in Germany.