Ilah Stevens

Ilah Glee Lund Stevens passed away 17 June 2009 following a nine month battle with plaura mesothelioma (asbestos caused lung cancer), at the family home with her husband, Ron, and daughter, Leigh Webber by her side. Ilah was born 22 January 1936 in Cutbank, MT and spent her first eight years in Kevin, where her father, Connie Lund worked in the oil fields. Her family moved to Belt where she graduated from Belt Valley High School in 1954 and entered Rocky Mountain College in Billings that Fall. There she met her future husband, Ron Stevens, a Sergeant First Class, E6, in the Montana National Guard. They were engaged in 1955 and Ron entered active military service. Following basic training, he graduated from Field Artillery Officer#8217;s Candidate School on 16 October 1956. Five days later, they were married in the Belt Methodist Church. Their first posting was Fort Ord, CA where their daughter, Leigh Michelle, was born. This tour was followed by a three and a half-year assignment to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii where they observed statehood celebrations and their son, Jeffrey Lund was born. Throughout their service years, Ilah was active in Officers#8217; Wives Clubs, concentrating on improving conditions for enlisted men#8217;s wives#8217;. While raised a Christian, Ilah#8217;s devotion was spurred on to greater heights when she found her family stranded in Quetta, Pakistan in January 1970 when Ron was unexpectedly evacuated with hepatitis. Getting herself, the two children and all household goods back to the United States to be reunited with Ron caused Ilah to seek the Lord fervently. Her prayers were answered in a safe, uncomplicated journey and she was born again in May 1970 and began her daily walk with Jesus. As she grew in her faith, one of the ways it was manifested was by her membership and leadership in Aglow International, a Christian womens#8217; ministry. Through this organization Ilah touched many hurting woman#8217;s lives. Her great legacy was the founding of Aglow in Nepal in 1987 which now boasts a membership of 1000 with representation at each international conference. Upon retirement in Bozeman, 1 June 1987, Ilah became active in local church activities and in 2000 became a charter member of the Montana Intercultural Team. This cadre of women is devoted to having relationships and sharing Jesus#8217; love with others. Ilah was also a board member of the Rotoiti Tibetan Project which translates the Bible and select C. S. Lewis books into the commonly spoken Tibetan language. Friends#8217; most expressed memory of Ilah was her ever present, effervescent smile and words of encouragement. The common names dictionary defines Ilah, as #8220;courageous#8221; and Glee, as #8220;exuberant joy#8221;. She was both in spades! Ilah was preceded in death by her father, C. D. Lund of Fairfield, MT in 1988, and son, Jeffrey Lund Stevens, USAF 14 Aug 1987. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Col. Ronald B. Stevens, US Army, Retired; daughter, Leigh M. (Alan) Webber of Phoenix; mother, Lucille Holum, and brother, Earl (Debbie) Probst, both or Glasgow; sister, Kathy (James) Bostrom, Lewiston, ID; Uncle Ted Lund, Whitefish and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service will take place on Monday, June 22, at 1PM, at Foothills Fellowship Chapel, 4000 Springhill Rd, Bozeman. A reception will immediately follow the service. A graveside committal service will be held at Sunset Hills Cemetery at 3 pm. Family and friends please meet at 2:45 pm at Dahl Funeral Chapel to process to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of Ilah#8217;s favorite ministries: Rotoiti Tibetan Project, First Security Bank, 208 E. Main St., Bozeman, MT 59715, Acct #163295.