Roger V. Stevens, age 74 of Bismarck, ND died Sunday, April 15, 2007 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN.

Funeral Services: 11:00 AM Friday, April 20, 2007;
First Lutheran Church - Washburn, ND;
Rev. Randy Emgarten, Officiating;

Interment: 2:00 PM Friday at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery - Mandan, ND;
Military rites provided by the VFW Honor Guard #1326;

Visitation: 1 hour prior to time of service at the church.

Roger was born July 5, 1932 in West Glacier, MT, the fifth of nine children born to James H. & Madge M. (James) Stevens. He attended school in West Glacier, MT. In 1949, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict and served aboard the U.S.S. Ebersole. Following his discharge in 1953, Roger married Shirley Nelson on February 27, 1954 in Great Falls, MT. They made their home in various places in Montana where he was employed as a long haul truck driver. Roger earned his pilot's license in 1966 and enjoyed flying small aircraft whenever he had the opportunity. He also enjoyed racing sprint cars and stock cars. Roger married Verda Rhodes on March 9, 1967 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. They resided in Federal Way, WA before moving to Kalispell, MT. While living in Kalispell, Roger worked for the Eagle Transit Company as a transit bus driver. He retired in 1997 and moved to Bismarck, ND in May 2001 following the death of his wife Verda.

His hobbies included fishing, and building model airplanes and cars. He especially loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren. Roger always had many fascinating stories to share with his grandkids. He is remembered for being a quiet, simple, honorable man, who continually thought of others before himself. Roger was member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, the Air Force Association, and a valued partner of the Feed The Children Foundation. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by three daughters, Marlene (Robert) Frank of Washburn, ND,
Susan (Terry) Yarns of Clarks, NE, & Marilyn (Dave) Nickel of Burtchville, MI;
five sons, Raymond (Fran) Stevens of Bismarck, ND, David Stevens of Mandan, ND, Tom Stevens of Mandan, ND, Tim (Tammy) Stevens of Bismarck, ND, & Ron Stevens of Kalispell, MT; twelve grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Meredith (Mary) Stevens of Sunburst, MT; and his first wife & friend, Shirley Stevens of Mandan, ND.

He was preceded in death by his wife (Verda), parents, three sisters, and four brothers.

Memorials for the family may be sent to Goetz Funeral Home, Inc., PO Box 436, Washburn, ND 58577.