Obituary of Dora Marie Pence

Dora Marie Pence, the daughter of Guy Howard Stover, Sr. and Ona Marie (Sherbon) Stover, was born October 18, 1926, in rural Grundy County, near Conrad, Iowa.  She attended the Whitten Country Schools and later acquired her GED.

On August 26, 1942, Dora was united in marriage with Melvin Elward Pence, Sr. on the family farm in rural Grundy County, Iowa.  Dora devoted her life to her family.  She worked as a partner with her husband on the family farm and raising their five boys.  From 1976-1983, she and Melvin delivered motor homes to dealers nationwide for Winnebago.  Then from 1984 until her retirement, she worked as a bookkeeper for the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home.  Dora enjoyed being with her family.  She sewed, quilted and gardened for many years.  She enjoyed outdoor activities and mowing.  Dora was a member of the Ivester Church of the Brethren.

Dora died on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at the Hospice of the Valley Eckstein Center in Scottsdale, Arizona.  She was 91 years old.  Dora was preceded in death by her parents; her great uncle and aunt, Dave and Eva Myers, who had raised her since she was two years old; her husband, Melvin Pence, Sr.; her son, Dr. David Pence; her daughter-in-law, Pam Pence; her brothers, Francis Stover, Cecil Stover, Guy Stover, Jaye Stover, Virgil “Jim” Stover and Jesse Stover in infancy; and her sister, Lois Lampman.

Those left to honor Dora’s memory include her sons and daughters-in-law, George (Nancy) Pence, Dr. Melvin Pence, Cheryl Pence, Levi (Barbara) Pence, Alex (Rose) Pence; her ten grandchildren: Kevin (Erica) Pence, Dr. Heidi (Mike) Epsen, Dr. Brenda (Dr. Gary) Palmer, Jeff (Debby) Pence, Kellie (Jacob) Brown, Tammy (Chaz) Field, Chris (Allan) Walz, Keary (Melissa) Pence, Dan (Angela) Pence, Lucas (Brigette) Pence; her twenty-nine great grandchildren; her sisters, Evelyn Lee and Darlene Grapp and a sister-in-law, Sharron Stover.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 23, 2018 at the Pence~Reese Funeral Home in Newton, Iowa.  The family will greet friends following the service during lunch at the Pence~Reese Tribute Center.  Burial will be at the Ivester-Sheller Cemetery in Grundy County near the family farm.