Barbara Marlene (Hupfer) Stevens

Barbara Marlene Hupfer Stevens passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at her home in Coeur d’Alene, ID at the age of 85.  She was born October 7, 1936 in Hamilton, MT to Simon and Hermine Hupfer.  She was raised on the family ranch in Victor, MT and attended grade and middle school in Victor.  The family moved to Missoula and where she graduated from Missoula County High School in 1954.  After graduation, she moved to St. Louis, MO and studied to be a chiropractic assistant at the Logan Basic College of Chiropractic.  She moved to Great Falls, MT for few years and then returned to the Bitterroot Valley.

Barbara married Roger Stevens in July, 1959 and they were married 58 years until his death in 2017.  They were blessed with 3 children, Debbie, John and Polly.  After living in various towns in Western Montana, the family moved to Corvallis where they resided from 1970 – 1981.  She was a member of the Corvallis Community Church and served as a leader in Pioneer Girls, AWANA, youth groups and Cub Scouts.   She was known for her homemade bread and cinnamon rolls and they swear they could smell it baking from the school.

After moving to Kalispell in 1981, she became a member of Central Bible Church and was involved in various groups and activities.  Again, she was an AWANA leader and involved with women’s ministries.  Outside the church, she helped organize and participated in activities with the South Kalispell Volunteer Fire Department and Montana National Guard Women’s Auxiliaries.

After Roger’s death in 2017, Barbara moved to Idaho to be closer to family.  She was able to spend time and attend activities with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her children Debbie Cognata of Placerville, CA, John Stevens residing in Polson, MT and Polly Caudill from Spokane, WA., sister Kathy Garrod of Hamilton, MT, sister-in-law, Myrna Doerr of Placerville, CA, brother-in-law Lowell Stevens and wife Elaine from Richland, WA, niece Carolyn Garrod of Hamilton, MT; 9 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.  Numerous nephews and cousins also survive her.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Roger, brother-in-law Donnie Garrod, & nephew Dennis Garrod.

Burial has already taken place in the Corvallis Cemetery with Celebrations of Her Life in Kalispell on April 28 and Corvallis on April 30, 2022.  Donations can be made in Barb’s name to Central Bible Church AWANA program.