Nora May Stevens

Nora May Stephens passed away Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, at Hillside Manor after an 11-month battle with cancer.

She was born June 6, 1942, in Missoula to Fred and Molly Brester. Nora attended Hellgate Elementary until third grade and then the family moved to Frenchtown, where she completed grade school and graduated from Frenchtown High School in 1960. During high school, Nora was in 4-H, choir, pep club and was a baton twirler for the band. She also won a Studebaker car for "Future Homemaker Award."

Gene later found this very well-deserved as she was a great homemaker, cook, housekeeper and overall family manager.

Nora married the love of her life, Gene, on Sept. 21, 1963, at the Emmanuel Congregational Church in Missoula.

Gene and Nora had one son, Kevin, in 1966. Nora was very involved with Kevin's activities at an early age with his clubs and sporting events, mostly enjoying being a volunteer with Westside Little League.

In the early years, Nora enjoyed Kevin's sporting events, camping with Gene and her extended family. Then in the 1980s they enjoyed going to the family cabin with parents and family at Flathead Lake.

Nora was also a great cook and baker and taught Kevin well. She loved cake decorating, cooking, ceramics, macramé and flower arranging. She enjoyed traveling, canning, reading, Griz football and family time.

Nora's pride and joy were her two grandchildren, Kiel and Courtney. She loved to watch them at their sporting events, spending time with them and bragging about them.

Nora was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Marilou Seitz. She is survived by her husband Gene; son Kevin (Cheri) of Missoula; grandchildren Kiel and Courtney; brother Kenneth Brester; brother-in-law Jerome Seitz of Missoula; five nieces, Karen, Debbie, Cindy, Trina and Brandy; one nephew, Tim; close friends and best neighbors ever, Donald and Lois Connolly; and many other family and friends.

Memorial services are planned for 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at Garden City Funeral Home followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Team Up Montana or Partners in Home Care Hospice.

The family would like to thank Partners in Home Care Hospice for their loving care of Nora during her last months with us; and the staff at Hillside Manor and the Oncology Center at St. Patrick Hospital.

Condolences and memories may be sent to the family at missoulafuneralhomes.com.

Read Nora Stevens's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.