Stephanie Lee Buckentin 32, passed away on March 16, 2022, at her home in Superior, after a courageous battle with breast cancer surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on July 12, 1989 in Chandler, AZ, and moved with her family to Stevensville at the start of middle school. The family moved to Lewistown, MT where Stephanie graduated from Fergus County High School.
She brought brightness and joy to everyday life with her beautiful smile an infectious laugh. Her childhood was filled with adventures with her parents, siblings, cousins, and many friends that she made. If you were Stephanie's friend, you were her friend for life. After High School, she moved to Great Falls and went to cosmetology school. During this time, she met her forever friend Rebecca Smith and love and lifetime partner Brandon Taggart. Stephanie and her family lived in Las Vegas, Missoula, and Spearfish before moving to Superior to be near her mother during her battle with cancer.
She loved Thanksgiving and Christmas. She would celebrate Thanksgiving early and numerous times in a year. If there was a present with her name on it, she would go to any length to discover the contents. Camping was a family favorite in South Dakota. She loved being on the open road with Brandon at the wheel, seeing where the adventure took them. Stephanie loved to travel and most recently travelled to New York with her mom.
She was an energetic and nurturing parent who was passing on the family tradition of making wonderful meals and baked goods to her daughter, Addisyn. She enjoyed special coffee dates with Addy. Stephanie looked forward to her morning snuggles and loves with son, Graysyn, who she called "Leroy”. Her creativity led her to establish her own business making custom shirts, cups, and signs. She enlisted Addy and Brandon's help in the endeavor, making it a family success.
Stephanie was a bright light whose glow faded much too soon.
Survivors include her life love Brandon Taggart, children Addisyn and Graysyn Taggart, her best friend and mother Brenda Smith, dad Brad Smith, sister Jennifer Buckentin (Shaun) and niece Kyleigh Buckentin, brother Paul Buckentin (Jodie & Avery), brother Little Brandon Buckentin, father Brian Buckentin as well as many family and friends.
Visitation is March 31, 5-7pm at Garden City Funeral Home, Missoula.