Devota E. Stevens

Devota E. Stevens of Aniwa died Mon. Oct. 17, 2011 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. She was 75 years old. She was born March 27, 1936 in Russellville, IN, daughter of the late Fred and Margaret (Webster) Ramsay. On July 3, 1957, she married Rev. James Stevens in Cape May, NJ at the US Coast Guard Recruiting Center. He survives and resides in Aniwa. She graduated as valedictorian from Russellville High School. She then studied accounting and bookkeeping at Indiana Business College, and was later employed at GMAC. She also attended Indiana Baptist College. Mrs. Stevens worked primarily as a homemaker. She was a pastor's wife and friend, residing during their years of ministry in Indianapolis, IN, Ericsburg, MN, Truman, MN, and Antigo, WI. She was also a teacher. She was a volunteer at the Harrison Township polling site and Ye Olde Craft Shoppe. She loved to crochet and read. She was a member of Park City Baptist Church in Merrill. She was well-known in the church community as a motivational and spiritual speaker for ladies retreats in Minnesota and Wisconsin. She also served as literature chair for the Ladies Retreat Committee of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Baptist Churches. In addition to her husband, she is survived by 3 daughters, Vonda (Nelson) Barrington of Society Hill, SC, Deirdra (Bruce) Homontowski of Lustre, MT, Leah Thompson (Gary Fricton) of Suring, WI; 3 sons, Greg (Sheila) Stevens of Hibbing, MN, Bryan (Chris) Stevens of Barrington, IL, and Timothy (Connie) Stevens of Gurnee, IL; a brother, Ted Barbara) Ramsay of Crawfordsville, IN; 13 grandchildren, Nicholas, Benjamin, Rachel, Elizabeth, Gennifer, Stephanie, Zachary, Shannon, Daniel, Ramsay, Hailey, Austin, and Colton. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21 at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home, with Rev. Freddy McMillen of Park City Baptist Church officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home 4-8 p.m. Thursday, and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Friday. Burial will follow the service at Aniwa Cemetery. A memorial fund will be established in Devota's name.