Stevens, Simon
Simon Sheldon Stevens was born to Sheldon and Samanthia (Metoxen) Stevens on June 26, 1942 in Wittenberg, WI. He grew up and attended school there until the age of 10 when he moved to L’Anse, MI. He was raised by Waino and Elizabeth Pelto and continued his education, graduating from L’Anse High School. Simon then attended Marquette University and later Northern State University.
Simon married Bernice Clay on October 26, 1963 in Macy, NE. They moved to Aberdeen, SD in 1965 and Simon continued his career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In 1972, Simon went to Washington DC for nine months of administrative training. He loved working for the Native Americans and did everything he could for them. Simon retired from the BIA after 36 years of service. After retiring, he joined the Retired Federal Employees Association.
Simon was a member of the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin. He was acting Superintendent of the Rosebud Sioux and the Northern Ponca Tribes and served on several other boards and committees throughout the community. Simon was on the Aberdeen Federal Credit Union Credit Board and served on boards of the First Presbyterian Church. He also helped with the ministry of the Church of All Nations.
Simon had a great belief in God. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and coach and will be greatly missed. He made our lives happy, and we know that he is happy now being with all those that went before him.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Bernice Clay Stevens; three daughters: Elizabeth Lestenkof, Aberdeen, Krissanne Stevens, Aberdeen, and Marsha Stevens, Aberdeen; six grandchildren: Ally Keene-Lestenkof, Anchorage, AK, Thama Barry Lestenkof, Jr., Anchorage; Alexandra Lestenkof, Aberdeen, Bobbi, Simone, and Clayton Rernleitner, all of Aberdeen; one great-granddaughter, Alina Keene-Lestenkof, Anchorage; and three sisters: Essiemae Stevens, Oneida, Karla (Robert) Sunn, Rapid River, MI, and Patricia (Harlan) King, Oneida, WI.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sheldon Stevens and Samanthia (Metoxen) Stevens Farmer; foster parents: Elizabeth and Waino Pelto; four brothers: Fredrick, Edward, Dexter, and Joseph Stevens; and three sisters: Shirley Osborne, Debra Freeman, and Nancy Osborne.
The funeral service for Simon Stevens, 73, of Aberdeen, will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 23, 2016 at North Highland United Methodist Church, with Rev. Lou Whitmer and Rev. Sheila Richards officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery, Aberdeen. Simon died Sunday, June 19, at ManorCare Health Services, Aberdeen.
Visitation will be from 2:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 South Main Street.
