Dale Marvin Stevenson, age 82, of Miles City, MT, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, Dec. 9, 2013 at Saint Vincent Health Care in Billings after complications from surgery with his family by his side.
Dale was born in Merrill on Aug. 15, 1931, the son of Hjalmer and Alma (Duranceau) Stevenson. Dale attended local schools and graduated from Merrill High School. He was very active playing football in high school for the Merrill Blue Jays and continued playing semi-pro football for the Merrill Foxes. In January of 1952, Dale enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving during the Korean Conflict. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to the family farm and cattle business in partnership with his father. Dale was married to his beloved wife and best friend Marlene Joan Van Der Geest on Feb. 23, 1957. Following their marriage he attended School of Mortuary Science in Cincinnati, Ohio. Following his graduation in 1958, they moved to Miles City. In 1958, he went to work for J.E. Graves Funeral Home until 1962 when he purchased Hinther-Jensen Funeral Home and later changed the name to Stevenson Funeral Home which is now Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. He was very proud of the fact that his three sons and now four grandsons are in the family business. Throughout the years he expanded the business to serve throughout Montana and North Dakota. Dale truly loved the people he served in this community. He instilled this great love for community in the next generation and generations to come to continue this great love for community. He was always grateful to the community.
Dale was a charter member of Grace Bible Church, Commander of the American Legion, Montana State Board of Morticians and a member of many community organizations. Dale’s true love was his wife and family. His biggest hobbies were his Clydesdale horses, making trips to the Van Der Geest Dairy Farms in Wisconsin, and working on his son Joe’s farm feeding and preparing horses, riding on his 4-wheeler, taking trips with Marlene and seeing his daughters in Branson and Orlando. One of his greatest accomplishments was the joy of reading the bible with Marlene every morning.
Dale is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Marlene Stevenson of Miles City, MT; three sons: Joseph Dale and his wife Patricia of Miles City; Jonathan Lee and his wife Marlys of Dickinson, ND; Todd Floyd and his wife Terri of Miles City; two daughters: Mary Ann Treat and her husband Tom of Branson, MO and Cathy Alma Hill and her husband Mark of Orlando, FL; his sister Joan (Roger) Gutknecht of Merrill; 12 grandchildren: Jason Riley, Scott Joseph (Andrea), Mikel Dale and David Leroy (Suella) Stevenson; Nicholas Jon (Terri) and Brandon Dale (Wendy); Tiffany Lynn (Ren) Gardner and Todd John “TJ” Stevenson; Lucas Thomas William and Anna Marie Marlene Treat; and Tori Ann and Brittany Nicole Hill; eight great grandchildren: Carson Dale, Cooper Douglas, Colton Todd Gardner and one due in January; Joseph Patrick Stevenson; Sadie Marie, Nathan Jon, Ali Ann and Patrick James Stevenson and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his two brothers: Floyd Stevenson and Lee Stevenson, two sisters: Lola Waid and Vera Sutton and three nephews: Keith Sutton, Gary Van Der Geest and Dean Waid.
A special thanks to Pastor Jerry and Becky Coon, Saint Vincent Health Center and Dr. KayCee Gardner for being by our side with dad.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Dec. 16, at Grace Bible Church. Interment followed in the Custer County Cemetery with full military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made in memory of Dale to Grace Bible Church.