V. R. "Dutch" Stevenson

V. R. “Dutch” Stevenson, 94, a resident of Royal City since 1956 passed away on Saturday, April 28, 2012 in Moses Lake. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Royal Memorial Gardens in Royal City. Vernal R.” Dutch” Stevenson was born April 3, 1918, in Mountain Home, Utah to James Daniel Stevenson and Charlotte Rebecca Winder. He was the eighth of twelve children. Dutch said if he was to write an autobiography if would be titled “From Pioneer to Millionaire”. He was to see changes in the world in his 94 years that went from covered wagons to aerospace to computers. Dutch spent his youth roaming the Uintah Mountains, hunting, fishing, hiking and farming/ranching. Fishing poles graced the trunk of every vehicle. He grew up with lots of love, laughter, hard work and music. His whole family played instruments, sang or danced. During the Depression they would go around to the small communities and entertain for the dances. Dutch inherited his beautiful singing voice from his father, and sang in church choirs, family gatherings and especially on road trips. Dutch met his true love when he was 8 years old. She was a tiny 6 year old girl that would be his lifelong/eternal sweetheart, Florella Alice Gentry. He said she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. The feeling was mutual and they were married on June 30, 1937 and the marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on June 23, 1962. He said their marriage was almost like a fairytale. This union was blessed with three children Judith Ann Stevenson February 17, 1939, Mark G. Stevenson, September 6, 1948 and Lindy Stevenson Empey, October 1, 1960. His career in construction spanned him going into the Civilian Corps at age 17 to serving in the U.S. Navy, Civilian Battalion(Seabees) to building canals, roads, bridges, dams, from “Sea to Shining Sea”. He could and did invent and engineer ways to make jobs run better and eventually had his own business with his son and partner. Dutch and Florella lived all over the U.S. but they made their home in the Columbia Basin, Royal City, WA. for 45 years. He loved children especially his grandchildren and always wanted them to be with him taking them everywhere he went. He had a love of his ancestry and shared his love of genealogy with his family through stories and life experiences. He was the last of the twelve children in his family to leave this life. Dutch was a friend to all and gave what he had to help others. He loved his Heavenly Father and on his passing surely he was embraced into his care and told “Well done though good and faithful servant”. Surrounded by his family, friends and loved ones he will continue his work in the next life.

V. R. "Dutch" Stevenson

April 3, 1918 - April 28, 2012