David Stephens

David K. Stephens passed away at age 84 on July 13th, 2023.

David was born January 27th, 1939,in Helena to William Argyl Stephens and Ellen Amanda Rasmussen Stephens. David was raised on the Sunnyslope Ranch at Wisdom. It took a village to keep him in line after the untimely death of his dear mother. He attended school in Wisdom and lived with Gadda, Aunts Amy and Hallie, and spent much time with Grandpa and Gramma Rasmussen.

He attended Park County H.S. at Livingston, graduating in 1957. That is where he met the dark-haired beauty, Diann Harms, whom he would marry in 1961. He attended MSU from 1957-59 and served in the Army at Fort Lewis, Washington, 1959-61.

David had quite the variety of employment. High school summer breaks were spent driving dump truck while his Uncle Raymond ran the grader to fix the road between Carroll Hill and Jackson. He and cousin Stan Rasmussen worked on the highway between Wisdom and Squaw Creek for $2 an hour. He loved ranching alongside his Dad. They continued to ranch in The Big Hole Valley until Argyl bought a ranch north of Dillon. They and year-old Shareece moved to the ranch to manage it. Stacy was born two years later.

When Argyl sold that ranch in 1972, the family moved into town, but ranching and farming stays in the blood. He and Diann did custom haying, and he worked for many ranches around the county. They also packed up and moved back to Livingston for a short time to help Grampa Charlie, his father-in-law, on his ranch.

David had a successful career in real estate and insurance. He and Diann bought Brookside Village and ran it side by side for 20 years until retiring to Arizona. But Dillon was home, and they returned in 2018.

David’s best work was those handcrafted knives. If you have a DKS knife, you have a treasure. He was a sharpshooter, and his skills go back to playing marbles with the Wisdom kids. He still had everyone’s marbles. He was a decorated, expert military marksman. He was passionate about hunting and wild game didn’t have a chance.

He was the kindest man who never met a stranger. He was quick-witted, wise and well versed.

David is survived by his wife Diann, daughter Shareece (Darrell Beauchamp) and daughter Stacy Fisk. Grandchildren, Erica (Chris Buck), Cassie (Rich Taylor), Nathan (Debra) Fisk and Casey Fisk. Great grandchildren, Finn, Avery, Franklynn and Westley. Sisters Maryellen (John) Wilkerson, Terry Jo Vietor, and Bruce Denny, David’s lifelong friend. Those that have gone before him are his parents and brother Raymond.

Thank you to Dr. Burke Hansen, Beehive Homes, HoneyBee Hospice and everyone who cared for and loved David.

Friends and family will meet at the Elks Club in Dillon, on Sunday, July 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate a life well lived. Interment will follow at Briston Cemetary in Wisdom.