Virginia Mildred Stephens, 76
Virginia Mildred Stephens, 76, was born April 27, 1931, in Bozeman to Dwight and Alice Pierce. She grew up in Belgrade.
She married Grant Stephens on June 11, 1948, and they lived in Belgrade, Twin Bridges and Plains before moving to Ronan in 1959. They resided there for 17 years, raising their family of nine children while running a dairy farm.
In 1976, the family moved to Kalispell, where she has resided ever since.
She died June 29, 2007, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family.
Virginia had boundless love for her own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a day-care center in her home for more than 20 years, and was loved and known at "Ginnia" by many children.
Virginia accepted the Gospel as a teenager and her number one joy was the fellowship meeting in her home, and showing special love and care for the many friends and ministers she knew. Until the day she died, Virginia reached out to the needs of others and opened her heart and home. Her family will always cherish her love and example in these things.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Grant; her parents, Dwight and Alice; one brother, Marvin Pierce; and a son-in-law, Ben Coles.
She is survived by nine children: Anne Coles of Melstone; Larry of Finland; Dale (Marie) of Helena; Linda (Roger) Benjamin of Fort Benton; Bonnie (Dale) Braaten of Kalispell; David (Karla) of Cody, Wyo.; Lloyd (Nancy) of Plano, Texas; Betty (Dennis) Figarelle of Great Falls; and Dicie (Fred) Jangula of Missoula.
She is also survived by her brothers: David (Peggy) Pierce, Maurice (Marian) Pierce, and Jack (Jan) Pierce; sisters: Linda (Allen) Stephens and Mary (Everett) Parsons; 23 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many friends and relatives.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 2, 2007 at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 3, in the Expo Building at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. Burial will be afterward at Glacier Memorial Gardens.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.