Loretta M. Stevenson, 68, Moorhead, MN, died Tuesday, May 24, 2005, in her home, Moorhead.
Loretta Mae Bailey was born July 8th, 1936 in Dayton, Ohio. She attended Jefferson township school and graduated in 1954. After graduation, she attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This was a decision that would change her life. It was here that she meet LeRoy Stevenson.
After LeRoy's graduation the two were married on June 9, 1956, in Johnsville, Ohio. In 1957 they moved to Georgetown to help on the family farm after the death of LeRoy's mother. In 1970, they bought a 13-acre farm site in rural Hawley. In 1973, they moved and bought a home in Moorhead, Minnesota, where they were currently residing.
In 1976, Loretta accepted a job with General Nutrition Corporation where she worked for fourteen years. In 1983, she was named "Secretary of the Year" for the Fargo area and she was also honored as "Woman of the Year, for distinguished leadership" by the YWCA. Loretta also worked in the Fargo Public School system for many years, which truly showed her love for children and for giving to the community.
After retirement Loretta worked as a secretary at the River Valley Church in Moorhead, where she and LeRoy were very active. They also were involved in the "Senior Choir". In Loretta's spare time she had many hobbies, such as writing a book of poetry, sewing, collecting dolls, decorating wedding cakes, and cooking. You always knew if you went to visit and left hungry it was your own fault.
Loretta is survived by her husband, LeRoy Stevenson; four children, Vernon, Robert (Suzy), Jonathan (Jacki) and Janice (Bryan) Johnson; eleven grandchildren, Joshua (Natalie), Amanda, Krysta, and Jonathan Stevenson. Cortney, Ashley, Cami, Jonathan Jr., and Caileigh Stevenson. Jackie and Dallas Johnson; three siblings, Ray Bailey, Richard Bailey, and Freda McDonald. She was preceded in death, by her parents, Florence Irene Bailey and Emerson Harley Bailey; one brother, Harley Bailey; and one son, Gary Stevenson.
Visitation: Friday from 5 to 8 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM,
Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead
Funeral Service: Saturday, May 28, 2005, at 2 PM,
River Valley Church, Moorhead
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo