Marla Stephenson

Marla Gay (Nickelsen) Stephenson, daughter of the late John Ingwert Nickelsen and Erma Jean (Creek) Gardner, was born November 28, 1956, in St. Louis, Missouri, and passed to her heavenly home June 21, 2021, at her residence in Falcon, Missouri, surrounded by her family. She was 64 years, 6 months, and 24 days of age.

Marla grew up in the St. Louis area where she attended and graduated high school. During her childhood she spent a lot of time with her grandparents and family in Belle and Bland, Missouri areas.

She married Duane Stephenson on December 6, 1997, in Mansfield, Missouri. They made their home in Falcon, Missouri, near Lebanon, for the last twenty years. They enjoyed going out to eat and Marla’s favorite place to eat was Elm Street Eatery in Lebanon.

Marla loved her family very much and was so proud of her children and grandchildren. She would brag on them every chance she got for their accomplishments and knew they would continue to grow and better themselves.

She had lots of friends that she considered and loved like family.

Marla was a Godly woman and loved her Lord and Savior very much. She attended Second Free Will Baptist Church in Lebanon as long as her health permitted.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Elaine Sue Kennerknednt, her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Marla is survived by her husband, Duane Stephenson, of the home in Falcon, her children, Erica Kessler and husband, Steve, of Houston, Missouri, Candice Leutzinger and husband, Jim, of Bloomsdale, Missouri, Tony Bieller of West Plains, Missouri, Sarah Nuckolls and Freddie Lopez of Abilene, Texas, and Nathen Stephenson and wife, Natalie, of Locust Grove, Oklahoma, her brother, Bud Rodgers of Belle, Missouri, seventeen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and other relatives and friends who will miss her very much.