Laurel Lee Stevens, 54, of Missoula, died in a motor vehicle crash Saturday, Sept. 8, near St. Ignatius.

A celebration of Laurel’s life is 2 p.m. Thursday at the West View Park Community Center, 4713 Graham, Missoula. Cremation is under the care of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

She was born on September 26, 1957, in Lewistown to Robert and Ada Stevens, grew up in Missoula and graduated from Hellgate High School in 1975.

Laurel worked for Circle K, and advanced to the level of zone manager over the course of a 13-year career. She left to study political science and secondary education at the University of Montana and later returned to retail to run a Noon’s food store in Missoula. Laurel went on to manage other small businesses for local owners in western Montana. She enjoyed crafting, jewelry making and furthering her education.

She was preceded in death by parents Robert and Ada Stevens; and sister, Sheila Johnson.

Survivors include son Justin T. Stevens; sister Robin and husband John Poire, sister Pat Jette and John Harding; and brother Robert and wife Nannette Stevens. She also is survived by multiple aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be posted online at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Great Falls Tribune on Sep. 12, 2012.