Opal Amanda Stevens, 88

Opal Amanda Stevens, 88, died May 11, 2005, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.

She was born April 27, 1917, in Eureka, to Earl and Myrtle Rhodes.

Opal and her older sister, Ruby, grew up in the country and enjoyed riding horses, which they did even to get to school.

Opal married Clarence Baker in Fort Peck. After living in the Eureka area several years, they moved to Kalispell in 1943 where they raised their three children.

Opal was a homemaker and worked 20 years as a clerk and department head for J. C. Penney. She enjoyed traveling; a trip to the Holy Land with church members was a high point for her and Clarence. Opal loved flowers and gardening in her flower beds, horseback riding, embroidery, picnicking and being outdoors. Most of all, Opal loved spending time with her family.

Opal married Arley Stevens on Dec. 15, l986; he passed away in 2001. They lived in Whitefish, but enjoyed traveling, spending time in Arizona and at Arley's fish ponds south of Eureka. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Clarence Baker who passed away in 1984, and Arley Stevens in 2001; and her sister, Ruby Stevens Hruby.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Bonnie and Hubert McKenzie of Eureka, Betty and Bruce Jellison of Somers, Don and Ardis Baker of Prescott, Ariz. Also her grandchildren and their spouses, Fawn McKenzie of Wenatchee, Wash., Jim and Patti McKenzie of Oxnard, Calif., John and Jelly McKenzie of Huntsville, Texas, Bob and Rhonda Jellison of Bigfork, Barbara and Chuck Quall of Minneapolis, Darron Baker and his son, Dorien, of Henderson, Nev., and Lynette Baker, also of Henderson; 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; her brother and sister-in-law, Victor and Madelaine Baker of Kalispell; Clarence's loving family in the Libby area; and her sister's caring family from the Eureka area.

Funeral services for Opal Baker Stevens will be at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, May 16, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. John Rasmussen officiating. Burial will follow at the Glacier Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 10:30 until the time of services at Trinity Lutheran Church.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to Trinity Lutheran Elementary School, 495 5th Ave WN, Kalispell, MT 59901 or the charity of your choice.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Opal's family.