Joyce Adele Bauer Stevenson, “Chande Waste Wiyan” (Good Heart Woman), beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and companion was sent to the Creator August 22, 2014 at the Faith Home in Wolf Point, Montana.
Joyce was born March 21, 1954 in Poplar, MT to Joseph and Leah (Funk) Bauer. She lived most of her life in Oswego where she and her siblings grew up on a farm. She attended school in Frazer excelling in cheerleading, pep club, and chorus. Joyce graduated in May of 1972.
In April of 1973 she married Dave Stevenson and together they had a daughter, Molly Jo Stevenson. They later divorced but remained good friends.
Joyce was well educated, she received an AA Degree through Fort Peck Community College, her Bachelor’s Degree from NAES, and her Master’s Degree from Washington State College. She worked at the Frazer School as a counselor and Fort Peck Tribes Crisis Center as a forensic interviewer. She loved all her children and her life was devoted to helping children and parents create a better life for themselves.
Joyce was a proud member of the Medicine Lodge Society, attending medicine lodges, sweats, and pow wows near and far. Joyce and her companion Joe Miller could be seen camping at their favorite spot at the Wodopana Celebration in Wolf Point. Joyce was an avid seamstress, making beautiful quilts, dresses, shirts, and shawls. She also enjoyed crocheting, reading, cooking, and baking. Her family looked forward to the holidays where she would bake her homemade delicious candies, cookies, cinnamon, and dinner rolls which she would lovingly distribute so nicely decorated. (Every Christmas she made sure ED got the biggest share of the dinner rolls!) AND she loved to GAMBLE. Most of all she loved taking care of her three precious grandsons.
Joyce is preceded in death by her parents; Leah (Funk) and Joe Bauer, baby sister, Joanne; brother, Samuel Bauer; and niece, Sondra Keller Wright, and stepson Lyle Miller.
Joyce is survived by her daughter, Molly Jo Stevenson and 3 grandsons, David Menz, Jr., Richard Martin, and Stancil Martin all of Oswego; lifetime partner Joe Miller of Oswego; stepdaughter Jody (Robbie) Magnum of Poplar, two brothers, Joseph (Linda) Bauer of Yucipa, California and Edward (Sue) Bauer of Oswego; five sisters, Barbara (Charles) Grandchamp of North Wolf Point, Pat (George) Arthur of Oswego, Kay Bauer of Billings, Debra (Huber) Wright of Oswego, and Judy (Robert) Fourstar of Oswego. She has numerous nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren all of whom hold a special place in her heart as well as her many friends whom she loved and cared for deeply.
She was a very loving, caring, and giving woman. She helped anyone in need, had a listening ear, and a caring shoulder to lean on. She will be deeply missed by all.
A prayer service will be held 7 p.m. Monday, August 25 th at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 26th at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at the Oswego Presbyterian Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.