Alfred Wallace Stevens, 82

Alfred Wallace Stevens, 82, passed away on July 16, 2007 at Bonner General Hospital in Sandpoint, Idaho. Vigil Service was held on July 22, 2007, at the Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on July 23, 2007 at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho with internment following in the Grandview Cemetery.

Al was born on Feb. 2, 1925 in Great Falls, Mont., to Evan and Florence Stevens. Our father, grandfather and friend was called home by our Lord.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jimmy and wife Marilyn and great-grandson Dameon Cassidy.

He is survived by nine children: Kathleen (Charles) Garrett, Kenneth Stevens, Cynthia (Russell) Maas, Mary Stevens, Susan (Aaron) Selbicky, and Patrick (Heather) Stevens, all of Moyie Springs, Idaho; Sharon (David) Wood of Kamiah, Idaho; Thomas Stevens of Post Falls, Idaho; Michael (Linnea) Stevens of the Philippines; 18 grandchildren and two great-grand children.

Alfred grew up in Great Falls, Mont., and graduated from St Mary's Catholic High School.

He volunteered and enlisted in the US Navy in 1943. He served with distinction on board the USS Gridley DD380 as a Torpedo Mans Mate 2nd Class.

At the end of the war, Alfred was discharged from the navy. He returned to Great Falls to develop his considerable artistic talents. Alfred graduated from the College of Great Falls with an Art Degree and began work at the Post Office.

During this time Alfred met and married the love of his life Marilyn Nelson on Aug. 29, 1952.

Their marriage lasted until Marilyn's death in 1997. Alfred transferred to the US Customs Services and began his life's work.

His first duty station was the Sweetgrass, Mont., Port of Entry.

In 1964 Alfred moved his growing family to Eastport, Idaho and then Porthill, Idaho where he served as a guardian of our boarders until his retirement on December 28, 1980.

Throughout his life Alfred was a devout Catholic and was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Alfred's interests ranged from art to flying his private airplane. He especially enjoyed working with wood and his inventive mind kept his hands busy creating.

He was a loving father who accepted the responsibilities of raising his nine children with grace.

With his loving son Ken's help, he fought valiantly with his diabetes. Alfred will be missed by family and friends.