Gene Stevens

Gene Stevens, 79, of St. Lawrence, passed away Tuesday, April 13, 2010 surrounded by his family at his home.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church, Miller with Rev. Brian Jones officiating. Burial followed in G.A.R. Cemetery at Miller. Visitation with family present was held from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 16, 2010 followed by a 7:30 p.m. prayer service at the church.

Gene Ezra was born December 22, 1930 to Clate and Mary (Avery) Stevens in Hand County. He attended country school and graduated from Miller High School in 1948.

On January 12, 1950, Gene met and married Wanda VanDenBerg in Miller. To this union, four sons and one daughter were born. Gene and Wanda raised their family on the farm southwest of Miller. They lived there until 1991 when they moved to St. Lawrence.

Gene continued driving to the farm almost every day until 2007 when he had a knee surgery and could no longer drive himself there. Gene loved all aspects of farming and with the help of many family members, he continued going to the farm. Although Gene struggled with various health problems, he would never let it get him down. He was always ready with a smile and a wink.

Gene was active in Rockdale school board, Rockdale Township, Hilltop range, N.F.O. and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder and trustee.

Grateful to have shared in his life is his wife, Wanda; four sons and one daughter: Merle (Karon) Stevens of Wessington Springs, Ellen (Don) Hosman of Pierre, Dean (Judy) Stevens of Huron, Terry (Trudy) Stevens of Miller and Neil (Sandra) Stevens of Miller; 13 grandchildren: John (Leslie) Stevens of Wessington Springs, Jeremy (Marci) Stevens of St. Lawrence, Lance (Stacey) Hosman of Stickney, TJ Stevens of St. Lawrence, Brian (Amy) Hosman of Sioux Falls, Shane (Tracy) Stevens of Gettysburg, DeNeil (Todd) Taylor of Pierre, Jessica (Eric) Oolman of Orange City, IA, Cody Stevens of Miller, Casie Stevens of Miller, Andrea Stevens of Miller, Travis Stevens of Miller and Clate Stevens of Miller; 16 great grandchildren; one sister, Mildred (Don) Carl of Wilhams Bay, WI; one brother-in-law, Jack Struse of Loves Park, IL; and one sister-in-law, Jerene Stevens of Belvedere, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Louise, Dorothy Ann, and Norene; one brother, Dale and one daughter-in-law, Deb.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Gene's arrangements.

MINISTER
Rev. Brian Jones

ACTIVE CASKETBEARERS: Grandsons
John Stevens
Jeremy Stevens
Lance Hosman
TJ Stevens
Brian Hosman
Shane Stevens
Cody Stevens
Travis Stevens
Clate Stevens

CASKETBEARERS: Granddaughters
DeNeil Taylor
Jessica Oolman
Casie Stevens
Andrea Stevens

HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Larry Blaseg
Bernie Huisman
Jeff Heasley
Joe Waldner
Bob Steers
Chip Rombough
Scottie Parmely
Gene's Coffee Group
All his Friends and Family

ORGANIST
Janet Fritzsche

VOCALISTS
David Fremark
     "Daddy's Hands"
Brian Jones
     "You Raise Me Up"
Duet
     "Go Rest High On That Mountain"

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN
"One Day At A Time"

USHERS
Whitey Wieland
Dave Johnson

INTERMENT
G.A.R. Cemetery
Miller, South Dakota