Jillianne Renee Stevens of Montevideo died Thursday, January 7, 2016 at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview at the ageof 37.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 3:00 PM at Community Bible Church in Montevideo with Pastor Bruce Jarman officiating.
Jillianne Renee Stevens was born on July 6, 1978 in Montevideo to Amos and Joyce (Triggs) Stevens. She grew up in Montevideo and attended school graduating from Montevideo High School in 1998. Jillianne attended Ridgewater College in Willmar and graduated with an AA degree in Liberal Arts in 2008. She then attended Southwest State University in Marshall, MN and had one class left to finish her degree in Psychology.
Jillianne’s heart was bigger than her body. She believed we are all God’s children and therefore special in every way. This was apparent in her volunteering and love for the tenants at Copper Glen. She also enjoyed gardening, cooking, writing, making greeting cards and caring for her dog “Precious”. Jill composed articles for the Ridgewater College Newspaper. Jillianne also enjoyed acting and played Helen Keller’s teacher in the Barn Theatre production of “The Miracle Worker” in 2000. She loved worshiping with her friends at Community Bible Church in Montevideo.
Jillianne fought a courageous battle against her eating disorder for 24 years. She wrote countless journals documenting her daily health struggles and dreams for the future. Her strong faith was apparent in many journal entries. One in particular, Jill wrote a note to God, thanking him for all of the beautiful days He had given her. Jillian found great comfort in prayer and always had positive thoughts. She expressed her love for “everyone” with her beautiful smile and kind words.
Jill enjoyed a close and special relationship with her mother, who she lived with for 37 years. She was very proud of her older sister Julie and brother Michael and all of their accomplishments. Grandma Polly meant the world to Jill and her great aunt Lois Torgerson had a special place in her heart.
Jillianne will be dearly missed by her mother, Joyce Stevens; her sister, Julie; her brother, Michael; great aunt, Lois Torgerson; three special friends she called her “sisters”, Jennifer Johnson, Britni Schueler and Lori Perseke ; friends, Jack and Julie McDougal, Jan Enstad family (especially Adam) and the Sue Dack family; Precious’s “New Mother” Darla Drager; and other relatives and close friends They were all very dear to Jill. Bless them all.
Jillianne was preceded in death by her grandparents, aunt Kathy, cousin Yvette, great aunts and uncles and other family members.
Your battle is over sweetheart. Love you to the moon and back!