Lee Stevens

Walter Lee Stevens, 88, of Malta, passed away on May 17, 2025, of natural causes at the Phillips County Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Wilderness Funeral Home in Malta. A reception will follow at the Little White Church.

Lee Stevens was a loyal husband, father, brother, grandfather and great grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Barbara of 58 years, sister Rose Peters and brother Larry Stevens (Marge), sons Kevin, Charlie (Michelle) and Walter (Sarah) as well as a daughter, Mary Gearhart (Dax). He has nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his father Clarence, mother Emma (Lafond) Stevens, as well as his sister Martha Branum (Paul).

Lee was born on February 18, 1937 and raised in Malta, Mt. Before meeting Barb, Lee had many jobs herding sheep, working at a sawmill, and running a cement buggy during the building of the Fred Robinson Bridge. He married the love of his life, Barbara Wiederrick in August of 1966. Together, they purchased his dad’s farm three miles south of Malta. There he and Barb made a beautiful home and raised their family, and farmed and ranched together until the sale of the farm in 1996. After moving to town, he could not give up the farm and ranch life, and returned to the lifestyle in a remote way, working for Ron Hansen as well as Glenn and John Meisdalen before fully retiring in 2018.

Lee was known to enjoy picking on Barb just to get a rise out of her in order to keep things interesting throughout the years. He enjoyed his garden…his BIG garden that he and Barb tended, and loved giving what he raised to neighbors and friends. He loved a good trick or joke and was always willing to take the time to listen to a friend and lend a hand in a time of need. His word and handshake were as good as a signed contract.

There was no doubt that when the hard work was over, he would always want to throw a fishing pole in the water, hunt some birds, or chase that next big elk, deer or antelope. Family always remembered that he would always offer the “second shot” when they were hunting with him. This would have been a great deal if he ever missed, but that just never seemed to be the case.

He loved his family and enjoyed spending time together. He was a dreamer who was always thinking about the next thing he wanted to try and was known for creating something unique out of nothing.

Lee will be sorely missed, but the laughter and stories that he has provided will last for generations to come.

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