Joy Stevlingson, 78

Joy Stevlingson of Bigfork passed away Monday, June 8, 2020, at her home at the age of 78 with her family by her side.

Born in Great Falls on Dec. 5, 1941, to Oliver and Agnes Tovson, Joy grew up on a farm just north of Black Eagle and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1960. She attended the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana State University-Northern in Havre and Providence University in Great Falls, graduating with a degree in education.

Joy married her high school sweetheart, Donald L. Stevlingson, on July 15, 1962. They were best friends and partners in life for 56 years until his death in 2018. Joy worked as an elementary school teacher at Russell Elementary School and as a PACE (Program for Advanced Children’s Education) teacher for Great Falls Public Schools. She also worked as the director of the United Way of Cascade County.

Joy and Don moved from Great Falls to Bigfork in 1992 and she became a sales associate for A&A Research in Kalispell until she retired. Their home in Bigfork was “base camp” for both the immediate and extended family and hosted many reunions, weddings, and other family events over the years.

As Grizzly season ticket holders for 20 years, Joy and Don loved attending University of Montana football games. Joy was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the Sons of Norway. She volunteered for many organizations and was active in the League of Women Voters. She enjoyed nature walks to identify wildflowers. Joy loved to travel and had many exciting trips with family and friends. She was an avid bridge player, and also played a mean game of Scrabble. Joy was well-read and an engaging conversationalist. She had a rich social life and enjoyed enduring, cherished friendships.

Joy is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Julie and Jon Sims of Lakeside; and her son and daughter-in-law Eric and Katya Stevlingson and grandchildren Max Stevlingson and Anna Stevlingson, all of both Lakeside, Montana, and Moscow, Russia. She is also survived by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Jackie Berger of Helena, Hugh van Swearingen and Nancy Marks of Townsend, Steve and Jean Johnson of Des Moines, Washington, Jon and Gloria Tovson of Great Falls, and Jeri Anne O’Neil and Nick Terhaar of Polson. She hailed from a large family and had many nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom she loved dearly.

Joy was preceded in death by her husband Don, her parents, brothers-in-law James Canfield, Dick Berger and Gary Clapshaw, and her sister Janet van Swearingen.

A memorial service for Joy will be held in mid-July at her home in Bigfork, the exact date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Meals on Wheels or the charity of your choice.