Stephen Eugene Worthington
Stephen Eugene Worthington
Stephen Eugene Worthington was born August 31, 1951. He was adopted by Laverene and Maxine Worthington in October 1951. He was welcomed home by older sister Linda and later joined by sister Loretta. Steve graduated from Mount Ayr Community High School in 1970. He continued his education at Indian Hills Community College and completed the Farm Equipment program, graduating in 1972. Steve started working for Roe Implement during high school and continued working there after graduation. After Roe Implement closed, he worked for Mount Ayr Implement as a tractor mechanic. He then finished his career of turning wrenches at Vetter Equipment as a farm implement mechanic. He retired in December 2018.
In 1976, Steve was introduced to Peggy Combs through mutual friends. This began a short courtship and Steve and Peggy were married June 18, 1977, at Immaculate Conception Church in Maloy, IA. They bought their first house in Mount Ayr and made that their home that is still home today. In March 1979, they welcomed their first child, Jennifer Jean. In July 1983, they welcomed Jason Eugene and in April 1986, they welcomed Jacque Sue, completing their family.
Steve was a family man that rarely sat idle. If he wasn’t working, he was tinkering with something in the garage. He had many hobbies besides just working on red tractors. He loved doing anything that involved turning wrenches and working on things. Steve always enjoyed deer and coyote hunting and passed that love onto his son and grandson. He pulled lawnmowers and garden tractors and later enjoyed pickup pulling with Jason. He enjoyed camping at the Iowa State Fair, a tradition that his parents started. He has passed on that love of camping at the state fair to his kids and grandkids, and it’s a tradition we all look forward to every year.
Steve loved his family more than anything. Steve & Peggy enjoyed riding his motorcycle and going to garden tractor pulls. Steve and Peggy celebrated 47 years of marriage this past June. He was always there for his kids and their activities and adventures. If we ever needed advice, help with anything, work done on vehicles or even just someone to talk to and tell stories with, Dad was there. When the grandkids came along, his joy was obvious, and he loved them with all his heart. He even spoiled them “just a little”. He always had a treat for them (and the neighborhood kids), whether it be popsicles, ice cream or in recent years, jolly ranchers.
Steve was a friend to many and made many lasting relationships over the years. He will be so very missed.
Steve passed away on January 29, 2025, under the constant care of his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Laverene and Maxine Worthington; his parents-in-law Lawrence and Grace Combs; and his sister and brother-in-law Linda Worthington Valdes and Enrique Valdes.
He is survived by his wife Peggy of Mount Ayr; his children Jennifer (Steve) Hilsenbeck of Walford, IA, Jason (Rachel) Worthington of Mount Ayr, Jacque (Dan) Shore of Mount Ayr; grandchildren Hudson Hilsenbeck of Walford, IA, Logan and Payton Worthington of Mount Ayr and Klayton and Kymree Verbick of Mount Ayr. He is also survived by his sister, Loretta (Johnny) White of Mount Ayr, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Charlotte and Leonard Swank of Mount Ayr; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Services were held 11 a.m. Monday, February 3, 2025, at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mount Ayr. Burial followed in the Rose Hill Cemetery. Memorials are to the family to be decided. Armstrong Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
