Renee Stevens, 86 of St. Anthony passed away Thursday, May 26, 2022.

Dorothy Renee Allen Birch Stevens "Renee" was born on January 11, 1936 in Fruitvale, ID to William Glover and Verda Dopp Allen. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at the Homestead Assisted Living Center in St. Anthony, ID early in the morning on May 26, 2022.

Renee was the first of 5 children including Caroline, Billie (Mackert), Ada Jo, and Bert. Ada Jo and Bert died as infants and her sister Caroline died at 12 years old of Bright's disease. Caroline's death devastated the family and they began spending summers at Henry's Lake working at the Edwards Lodge at Staley Springs, hoping to recover from the loss. Mom loved living and working in Island Park.

She attended school in St. Anthony at South Fremont High School. She was an active member of the rodeo community in her early years and was crowned rodeo queen at the Pioneer Days Rodeo.

She met Gary F. Birch and was engaged and married in a whirlwind courtship with a 6-week engagement. They were married on February 20, 1958. This union was blessed with 5 children Joni (Brad Amen), Brad (Ronda White), Susan (Steve Welker), Terri (Barry Whitson), and Carri (Don Bakula).

Gary was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1980. Renee then married James D. Stevens on March 24, 1984 in Mesquite, NV. She was blessed with the addition of 3 wonderful stepchildren Mike (Jodi Wocelka), Melanee (Ryan Speth), and Mitch (Wendy Nichols). She had a combination of 18 grandchildren, 27 Great grandchildren, and 1 great, great grandbaby coming in July.

Renee was an extremely strong, smart, and talented woman. She was extremely shy though and hid these traits behind the mask of humor and quick wit. She taught herself how to play the accordion, how to knit, crochet and sew. She was a master of quilt making and made many for her kids and grandkids.. She remodeled many rooms in their Wilford home before the flood. She could also tear apart a washer and fix it. She fixed miles of fence, irrigated many crops and hand milked cows all while raising 5 children all under the age of 5 years. Mom loved babies of all kinds – calves, colts and kids – NOT CHICKENS or cats. In fact the day before she passed away she was very weak but insisted on holding her youngest great grandbaby, Blakely Sue Welker and was so happy that joy completely filled her face.

Renee was very athletic and she mastered any sport she set her mind to. After Gary died she took ski lessons and was an avid skier. She took up golf and was always proud to say she hit a hole in one! She was also quite a pool player and was on the pool league.

After her marriage to Jimmy they lived in Chester for several years then moved to Wilford, ID. They enjoyed camping, traveling, country western dancing and gambling. They had many friends and spent many seasons camping in Island Park and Sand Creek.

She loved the additional children that this marriage brought, especially the golden boy Mitchy! Mom said she got to take him to his first day of Kindergarten. He was scared and when his little hand slipped into hers she said "from that time on- he was mine".

Mom and Jimmy were married 34 years until Jimmy passed away in 2018. She then moved into the Homestead Assisted Living and thrived meeting new friends and enjoying the activities and joking with the staff. As her dementia progressed she never lost her quick wit or sense of humor and she enjoyed putting her Son-in-Laws in their place.

Renee was preceded in death by her parents, 3 siblings, 2 husbands, 3 grandchildren/great grandchildren Kody Bakula, Preston Birch, and Ralee Martin.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Wilford LDS Chapel, 215 N. 2400 E. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Wilford Cemetery under the direction of Bert Flamm Mortuary.

Funeral services will be live-streamed and may be viewed here: https://youtu.be/EFcO2ImYWes