Orville Stevens

Mass of Christian Burial for Orville D. Stevens, 80, of Baker, MT will be at 10:00 a. m. on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at St. John?s Catholic Church in Baker with the Rev. Father Thomas Tobin as celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow in the Stevens family lot in St. John?s Catholic cemetery at Baker. Visitation will be from 2:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. on Friday, May 15th, at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker with a Rosary and Vigil Service at 7:00 p. m. Orville passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at his home in Baker. Orville D. Stevens was born in Jamestown, ND on June 25, 1928, a son of Raymond R. and Julia (Bartkowski) Stevens. As Orville?s father worked in the grain elevator business, Orville lived in various places in North Dakota and eastern Montana before settling in Baker. Orville attended grade school and high school in Baker where he graduated. While in high school, Orville worked for Leif Holmland at the Baker Furniture store. Following graduation, Orville entered the United States Army on November 15, 1948, and was stationed in Alaska and was honorably discharged on December 20, 1949. Following his discharge, Orville returned to Baker, where he once again worked at Baker Furniture. In 1952, Orville agreed to go out on a blind date. His date was a young nurse by the name of Mary Kelly who was working at the Miles City VA. After a courtship, Orville and Mary were united in marriage on June 17, 1953, in Olivia, MN. To this union, Patricia, Lynn, Mary Theresa, Thomas and David were born. Orville and Mary made Baker their home, and eventually Orville became a partner and ultimately the owner of Baker Furniture. The business became a family run operation. After Orville retired he remained actively involved in the business with Tom and Dave. Orville was a strong supporter of the Baker community. He was an investor in the Baker Livestock Auction, radio station KFLN and the Fallon County Credit Union. Orville was a member of the American Legion, Post 35. Orville was a faithful member of St John?s Catholic Church in Baker and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, helping to get the local council formed and was instrumental in the building of the new St. John?s Catholic Church. Since 1983, Orville and Mary enjoyed their winter vacations to Florida. In the summer, Orville enjoyed fishing, playing golf and traveling. His other interests were playing cribbage and family gatherings. Orville?s greatest love in life was for his family and his greatest hobby was his store. Orville was a salesman?s salesman. Orville is survived by his loving wife, Mary of Baker; his children, Patricia (Richard) Chester of Baker, MT, Lynn (Con) Donvan of Sidney, MT, Thomas (Teresa) Stevens of Baker, MT and David (Susan) Stevens of Baker, MT; two brothers, Raymond (Mary Ann) Stevens of Lakewood, CO and Gerald (Susan) Stevens of Louisville, CO; two sisters, Joyce Sowl of Boulder, CO and Cathleen (Steve) Nowak of Willow Creek, MT; eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Julia and his infant daughter, Mary Theresa Stevens. Arrangements are under the care of Stevenson Funeral Home of Baker, MT.


Click to View Program (PDF)


Burial Date: May 16, 2009
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Funeral Mass: Saturday, St. John’s Catholic Church Baker, MT