Leslie "Les" Lorne Stevenson

Leslie Lorne “Les” Stevenson, died at home on June 4, 2023, after a short illness. He served as executive director of Opportunities Inc., from which he retired in January, 2012, after 30 years.

Born on November 22, 1934, in Concrete, N.D., to Milford and Mary Stevenson, he grew up on a farm in northeast North Dakota. He came to Montana in 1956 to work the harvest and remained in Joplin for three years.

On Jan. 30, 1959, he eloped with Zelda Johnson, a native of Osnabrock, N.D. They were married in Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Great Falls and settled in Havre where they lived for 20 years.

Les worked in various occupations, including telephone lineman, grain elevator worker, long distance truck driver, carpenter and auto mechanic. He tried his skills as a business owner with a truck stop and restaurants. He enrolled at Northern Montana College, graduating in 1968. After college, Les built a career in human services. He was passionate about human rights, social justice, and working for the dignity of all people.

Surviving are his wife and soul mate of 64 years, Zelda M. Stevenson of Great Falls; daughters, Julie Stevenson of Great Falls and Sheri Stevenson Bartz of Billings; son, John V. (Anne) Stevenson of Great Falls; daughter-in-law, Stephanie Stevenson of Havre; grandchildren, William Stevenson, Nicholas and Samuel Stevenson and Amy Burleson, Zachary, Jacob and Luke Bartz, Jessica Hultin, Thomas and Joseph Stevenson; and one great-grandson.

Les was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; three brothers; and a son, Les Stevenson II.

Les would like to be known for loving his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandson from the depth of his heart. He would ask that his family and friends pray for world peace and social justice.

Cremation has taken place. His ashes will be scattered at a private ceremony.

A memorial service will be on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Memorials can be made to Southern Poverty Law Center (400 Washington Ave., Montgomery AL 36104).

DO NOT MOURN – REMEMBER WITH JOY