Stephen Cree

August 5, 1930 - May 20, 2014

Stephen D. Cree, 83, of Iowa City, Iowa passed away at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City on Tuesday afternoon, May 13, 2014. He was wonderfully cared for by the staff at Simpson Memorial Home in West Liberty, Iowa since June of 2010. He was born on August 5, 1930, on the family farm in Luther, Iowa the son of Everett and Mona (Branson) Cree. On August 30, 1972, he married Nancy Sams. He graduated from Vinton High School in 1949, graduated from Iowa State University with a Degree in Agriculture, and a Master of Theology from Drake University. He served for 10 years as a United Methodist Pastor and devoted his life to writing about and pursuing an understanding of theology. Stephen was instrumental in the development of the Nancy Cree Keyboard Learning Center’s program, with his wife, Nancy. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. Survivors include his wife Nancy of Iowa City, Iowa; 7 children Melinda (Chuck) Cree-Anthony of Des Moines, Iowa, Leisa Rosche of Marion, Iowa, Cynthia (David) Rosche of Ft. Worth, Texas, Yvonne (Dennis) Becher of Riverside, Iowa, Yvette (Roland) Varogvich of Buford, Georgia, Jonathan (Melissa) Cree of Iowa City, Iowa and Jennifer (Dan) Newman of Altoona, Iowa; 7 grandchildren Tyler (Melissa), Rachel (Carsten), Brittany, Melody, Samantha, Elizabeth and Cael; and newborn great-granddaughter Nora Kate. Services will be held on Tuesday morning, May 20th at 10:00 a.m. at the Stark-Welin Chapel in Boone, Iowa with Rev. Bob Hoover, PhD officiating. Interment will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery east of Luther, Iowa. Friends may call at the Stark-Welin Chapel in Boone prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 10:00 a.m. with the family present during that time to greet friends. Memorials may be sent to the family % Nancy Cree, 719 N. Johnson Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52245 for a memorial to be established in Stephen’s memory for staff development at the Simpson Memorial Home in West Liberty, Iowa.