View Video Tribute Kurtis "Wedge" Gene Stephenson, 55, of Keokuk, IA, died Monday, December 8, 2008 at the Keokuk Area Hospital in Keokuk, IA. He was born on July 10, 1953 in Mexico, MO the son of Orville Lee and Alberta Lucille Brisby Stephenson. Kurtis was an avid bass guitar player and played in several local bands and also enjoyed going and watching his son, Charley, play the drums. He enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing and spending time with his family. Kurtis was a loving father, grandfather and a friend to all. He was employed at Ferol-Sil in Keokuk and most recently at Iowa Gateway Terminal on the Norma Christina Barge. Kurtis is survived by his five children, Jenny Cunningham of Wickcliff, Kentucky, Charles Stephenson and his wife Loretta of Carthage, IL. Robert Stephenson and his wife Shelly of Keokuk, IA, Brian Lewis and his fiancé Jennifer Blubaugh of Festus, MO, and Fielding Lewis of DeSoto, MO, eleven grandchildren, two sisters, Shirley Briggs and her husband Bill of Keokuk, IA and Sheena Stephenson of Argyle, IA, a lifelong friend, Karl Porter and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and several aunts and uncles. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, December 12 at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA with Brother Bill Hauser officiating. Burial was in the Oakland-Sands Cemetery in Vincennes, IA at 10 a.m. Saturday. Memorials may be made to the family.