Millard Laurence Stevens was born Oct. 21, 1928, in Colonia Chuichupa, Mexico. He passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2012, at his home of 49 years. Dad's parents were David Johnson Stevens and Elva Helena Judd Stevens. He was called Millard until the family moved to Millard County, Utah, and then he went by Laurence. While in the Navy he acquired the name of Steve, and many people, especially those of his church call him Larry. But in this obit, we will call him Dad, his most notable and distinguished name.
Dad was the fifth in a large family, having three brothers and seven sisters. His father was mostly a farmer, so Dad learned to work long and hard. When he was about 9, they moved to Utah where he graduated from Hinckley High School in 1946. He went to BYU for one quarter, but schooling didn't fit him just right. He started working for the Union Pacific railroad as a lineman, climbing the poles to hook up the electricity for the signals.
He joined the Navy in 1950 during the Korean conflict. He never saw action, but was on an aircraft carrier where the beginning pilots practiced taking off and landing. He was also stationed near the Bikini Atoll when the hydrogen bomb was first tested.
After the Navy, he traveled to Billings to visit his sister and got a job at the Peavey Flour Mill. He worked there until his retirement and enjoyed getting to know the ranchers and farmers whom he considered the salt of the earth.
He met his bride, Lucille Julia Weldele, through mutual friends and they were married March 18, 1956. They have three children, Vance, Carla, Garth; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and Lu served an 18-month mission in Salt Lake City in the Family History Department. He was the Branch President of Harlowton for five years. He also served several years as a temple ordinance worker. For over 25 years he was a Boy Scout leader and saw many in his troop become Eagle Scouts. In Scouting he obtained Wood Badge Certification, Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow, and received the Silver Beaver award.
He and Lu went on many trips to explore the country and see historical sites. They spent many hours fishing together. He enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to fish and he was there when they caught their first fish. Every year they made several trips to gather firewood for the winter and enjoyed seeing the wildlife. In his younger years he did lots of hunting and learned enough taxidermy to mount his own trophies for display. He also liked to hunt agates and work with wood, making many items from each.
He really enjoyed working in his large garden and gave away lots of produce, besides canning and freezing much of it with Lu. His raspberries, tomatoes, sweet corn, cucumbers and cantaloupe were coveted items. Over the years he regularly donated blood and since 1978, he made 51 donations which potentially saved 153 lives!
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lu; his parents; and brother Ellis.
He is survived by his children Vance (Geralyn) Stevens in Laurel, Mont., Carla (Ben) Andrus in Glendale, Mont., and Garth (Lisa) Stevens in Stevensville, Mont.; grandchildren Trevor (Rebecca) Stevens in Buckhannon, W.V., Ivan (Rachel) Andrus in Budapest, Hungary, Loren (Rebecca) Andrus in Sandy, Utah, Lindsey Stevens in Salt Lake City, Whitney Stevens in Arequipa, Peru, Mickelle Stevens in Stevensville, Sinikka and Ezra Andrus in Glendale, Mont.; four great-grandchildren, Avery and Evelyn Andrus in Budapest, and Kevin and Marcus Andrus in Sandy. He also is survived by brothers Dee Stevens, Clyde (Carolyn) Stevens; and sisters, Naomi Smith, Lee Haider, Marie Thornton, Verlene Turner, Virginia (RL) Shepherd, Elaine Peterson, and Karyn (Dennis) Morelli; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank all of those at Journey Hospice who helped Dad enjoy his last weeks at home battling cancer.
Dad was the fifth in a large family, having three brothers and seven sisters. His father was mostly a farmer, so Dad learned to work long and hard. When he was about 9, they moved to Utah where he graduated from Hinckley High School in 1946. He went to BYU for one quarter, but schooling didn't fit him just right. He started working for the Union Pacific railroad as a lineman, climbing the poles to hook up the electricity for the signals.
He joined the Navy in 1950 during the Korean conflict. He never saw action, but was on an aircraft carrier where the beginning pilots practiced taking off and landing. He was also stationed near the Bikini Atoll when the hydrogen bomb was first tested.
After the Navy, he traveled to Billings to visit his sister and got a job at the Peavey Flour Mill. He worked there until his retirement and enjoyed getting to know the ranchers and farmers whom he considered the salt of the earth.
He met his bride, Lucille Julia Weldele, through mutual friends and they were married March 18, 1956. They have three children, Vance, Carla, Garth; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and Lu served an 18-month mission in Salt Lake City in the Family History Department. He was the Branch President of Harlowton for five years. He also served several years as a temple ordinance worker. For over 25 years he was a Boy Scout leader and saw many in his troop become Eagle Scouts. In Scouting he obtained Wood Badge Certification, Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow, and received the Silver Beaver award.
He and Lu went on many trips to explore the country and see historical sites. They spent many hours fishing together. He enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to fish and he was there when they caught their first fish. Every year they made several trips to gather firewood for the winter and enjoyed seeing the wildlife. In his younger years he did lots of hunting and learned enough taxidermy to mount his own trophies for display. He also liked to hunt agates and work with wood, making many items from each.
He really enjoyed working in his large garden and gave away lots of produce, besides canning and freezing much of it with Lu. His raspberries, tomatoes, sweet corn, cucumbers and cantaloupe were coveted items. Over the years he regularly donated blood and since 1978, he made 51 donations which potentially saved 153 lives!
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lu; his parents; and brother Ellis.
He is survived by his children Vance (Geralyn) Stevens in Laurel, Mont., Carla (Ben) Andrus in Glendale, Mont., and Garth (Lisa) Stevens in Stevensville, Mont.; grandchildren Trevor (Rebecca) Stevens in Buckhannon, W.V., Ivan (Rachel) Andrus in Budapest, Hungary, Loren (Rebecca) Andrus in Sandy, Utah, Lindsey Stevens in Salt Lake City, Whitney Stevens in Arequipa, Peru, Mickelle Stevens in Stevensville, Sinikka and Ezra Andrus in Glendale, Mont.; four great-grandchildren, Avery and Evelyn Andrus in Budapest, and Kevin and Marcus Andrus in Sandy. He also is survived by brothers Dee Stevens, Clyde (Carolyn) Stevens; and sisters, Naomi Smith, Lee Haider, Marie Thornton, Verlene Turner, Virginia (RL) Shepherd, Elaine Peterson, and Karyn (Dennis) Morelli; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank all of those at Journey Hospice who helped Dad enjoy his last weeks at home battling cancer.
Millard Laurence Stevens was born Oct. 21, 1928, in Colonia Chuichupa, Mexico. He passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2012, at his home of 49 years. Dad's parents were David Johnson Stevens and Elva Helena Judd Stevens. He was called Millard until the family moved to Millard County, Utah, and then he went by Laurence. While in the Navy he acquired the name of Steve, and many people, especially those of his church call him Larry. But in this obit, we will call him Dad, his most notable and distinguished name.
Dad was the fifth in a large family, having three brothers and seven sisters. His father was mostly a farmer, so Dad learned to work long and hard. When he was about 9, they moved to Utah where he graduated from Hinckley High School in 1946. He went to BYU for one quarter, but schooling didn't fit him just right. He started working for the Union Pacific railroad as a lineman, climbing the poles to hook up the electricity for the signals.
He joined the Navy in 1950 during the Korean conflict. He never saw action, but was on an aircraft carrier where the beginning pilots practiced taking off and landing. He was also stationed near the Bikini Atoll when the hydrogen bomb was first tested.
After the Navy, he traveled to Billings to visit his sister and got a job at the Peavey Flour Mill. He worked there until his retirement and enjoyed getting to know the ranchers and farmers whom he considered the salt of the earth.
He met his bride, Lucille Julia Weldele, through mutual friends and they were married March 18, 1956. They have three children, Vance, Carla, Garth; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and Lu served an 18-month mission in Salt Lake City in the Family History Department. He was the Branch President of Harlowton for five years. He also served several years as a temple ordinance worker. For over 25 years he was a Boy Scout leader and saw many in his troop become Eagle Scouts. In Scouting he obtained Wood Badge Certification, Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow, and received the Silver Beaver award.
He and Lu went on many trips to explore the country and see historical sites. They spent many hours fishing together. He enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to fish and he was there when they caught their first fish. Every year they made several trips to gather firewood for the winter and enjoyed seeing the wildlife. In his younger years he did lots of hunting and learned enough taxidermy to mount his own trophies for display. He also liked to hunt agates and work with wood, making many items from each.
He really enjoyed working in his large garden and gave away lots of produce, besides canning and freezing much of it with Lu. His raspberries, tomatoes, sweet corn, cucumbers and cantaloupe were coveted items. Over the years he regularly donated blood and since 1978, he made 51 donations which potentially saved 153 lives!
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lu; his parents; and brother Ellis.
He is survived by his children Vance (Geralyn) Stevens in Laurel, Mont., Carla (Ben) Andrus in Glendale, Mont., and Garth (Lisa) Stevens in Stevensville, Mont.; grandchildren Trevor (Rebecca) Stevens in Buckhannon, W.V., Ivan (Rachel) Andrus in Budapest, Hungary, Loren (Rebecca) Andrus in Sandy, Utah, Lindsey Stevens in Salt Lake City, Whitney Stevens in Arequipa, Peru, Mickelle Stevens in Stevensville, Sinikka and Ezra Andrus in Glendale, Mont.; four great-grandchildren, Avery and Evelyn Andrus in Budapest, and Kevin and Marcus Andrus in Sandy. He also is survived by brothers Dee Stevens, Clyde (Carolyn) Stevens; and sisters, Naomi Smith, Lee Haider, Marie Thornton, Verlene Turner, Virginia (RL) Shepherd, Elaine Peterson, and Karyn (Dennis) Morelli; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank all of those at Journey Hospice who helped Dad enjoy his last weeks at home battling cancer.
Dad was the fifth in a large family, having three brothers and seven sisters. His father was mostly a farmer, so Dad learned to work long and hard. When he was about 9, they moved to Utah where he graduated from Hinckley High School in 1946. He went to BYU for one quarter, but schooling didn't fit him just right. He started working for the Union Pacific railroad as a lineman, climbing the poles to hook up the electricity for the signals.
He joined the Navy in 1950 during the Korean conflict. He never saw action, but was on an aircraft carrier where the beginning pilots practiced taking off and landing. He was also stationed near the Bikini Atoll when the hydrogen bomb was first tested.
After the Navy, he traveled to Billings to visit his sister and got a job at the Peavey Flour Mill. He worked there until his retirement and enjoyed getting to know the ranchers and farmers whom he considered the salt of the earth.
He met his bride, Lucille Julia Weldele, through mutual friends and they were married March 18, 1956. They have three children, Vance, Carla, Garth; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and Lu served an 18-month mission in Salt Lake City in the Family History Department. He was the Branch President of Harlowton for five years. He also served several years as a temple ordinance worker. For over 25 years he was a Boy Scout leader and saw many in his troop become Eagle Scouts. In Scouting he obtained Wood Badge Certification, Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow, and received the Silver Beaver award.
He and Lu went on many trips to explore the country and see historical sites. They spent many hours fishing together. He enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to fish and he was there when they caught their first fish. Every year they made several trips to gather firewood for the winter and enjoyed seeing the wildlife. In his younger years he did lots of hunting and learned enough taxidermy to mount his own trophies for display. He also liked to hunt agates and work with wood, making many items from each.
He really enjoyed working in his large garden and gave away lots of produce, besides canning and freezing much of it with Lu. His raspberries, tomatoes, sweet corn, cucumbers and cantaloupe were coveted items. Over the years he regularly donated blood and since 1978, he made 51 donations which potentially saved 153 lives!
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lu; his parents; and brother Ellis.
He is survived by his children Vance (Geralyn) Stevens in Laurel, Mont., Carla (Ben) Andrus in Glendale, Mont., and Garth (Lisa) Stevens in Stevensville, Mont.; grandchildren Trevor (Rebecca) Stevens in Buckhannon, W.V., Ivan (Rachel) Andrus in Budapest, Hungary, Loren (Rebecca) Andrus in Sandy, Utah, Lindsey Stevens in Salt Lake City, Whitney Stevens in Arequipa, Peru, Mickelle Stevens in Stevensville, Sinikka and Ezra Andrus in Glendale, Mont.; four great-grandchildren, Avery and Evelyn Andrus in Budapest, and Kevin and Marcus Andrus in Sandy. He also is survived by brothers Dee Stevens, Clyde (Carolyn) Stevens; and sisters, Naomi Smith, Lee Haider, Marie Thornton, Verlene Turner, Virginia (RL) Shepherd, Elaine Peterson, and Karyn (Dennis) Morelli; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank all of those at Journey Hospice who helped Dad enjoy his last weeks at home battling cancer.
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