Mary Lucile Stevens, 81, passed on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022. Vigil service will be held Friday, March 4, at 6 p.m. Funeral Mass on Saturday, March 5, at 10:00 a.m. Both services to be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Sunburst, Mont.

Mary was raised on the family farm located between the Sweet Grass Hills and Sunburst. Mary was a graduate of North Toole County High School in 1958. She attended the University of Montana in Missoula as a music major. She was gifted.

On Sept. 8, 1959, she married the love of her life, Steve Stevens. At that time, the “love birds” moved to Chicago, Ill., to start out their new life together. She was deeply in love with her husband. He passed away two days shy of their 56th wedding anniversary. She dearly missed him. Together they had three children, Jim (Yvette) Stevens, Lisa Tecca and Melody (Gordon) Jacobs.

Mary, her husband, and children returned to Sunburst to be closer to family. Her family meant the world to her. She with her husband, Steve, managed the Duty Free in Sweet Grass for 27 years with operations, including their children. 

The next opportunity for Mary was to manage a West Glacier motel office in the “on season” while spending the “off season” at their primary home in Sunburst. Spending time in West Glacier was meaningful with her husband as he was raised there.

Primarily in Illinois, while raising her children, she taught piano lessons within the home. She continued to do so periodically over the years after moving to Montana. She played the organ for Catholic Churches in Chicago, Columbia Falls and Sunburst. She did so for almost 70 years.

She loved music, crochet, sewing, quilting, watching sporting events and spending time with family and friends whenever possible.

Mary is survived by her three children; her grandchildren, Tandra Plympton, Marcus Tecca, Line Roy, Jessica Kaae, Matt Stevens, Andrew (Hanna) Stevens and Sarah Jacobs; her great-grandchildren, Kahleb Plympton, Kaege Plympton, Taegan Tecca, Khenlei Plympton, Sephiya Tecca, Megan Tecca and soon to be born, Paul Stevens; her siblings, Margy (Rich) Johnson, Herb (Carol) Karst, Betty (Joe) DeMartin and John Karst; sister-in-law, Harriet Karst; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded by her husband, Steve Stevens; her parents, Joe and Lucile Karst; her brother, Bill Karst; and her grandson, Brandon Tecca. 

Memorial donations may be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church building fund, the Sunburst Community Center or the charity of choice.

The family would like to express our appreciation to the following health care providers and respective team for the care provided most recently and throughout the years. The care and compassion will never be forgotten. We are grateful. Thank you, Dr. Robert Clary and staff, Dr. Rob Grasseschi and staff, and Peace Hospice staff.

Condolences can be made to www.asperfh.com.