Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Stephany passed away suddenly February 11, 2024, at the Billings Clinic Hospital, In Billings, Montana, from complications of her internal organs, she had suffered from Covid nineteen, and her recovery was in progress.
Stephany will be mourned and greatly missed by her family, friends, and the people whose lives were touched by her loving kindness and vibrant personality.
Stephany's remains were cremated, and a Memorial Service will be held at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Thermopolis, Saturday April 27, 2024, 1:00 PM.
Stephany Anne was born May 11, 1987, in Scottsdale Arizona, a beautiful and healthy baby girl. As a baby Stephany was cherished by her Mother Sally. The baby years were spent with all the love and sunshine, walks, and games her beautiful "Double Chubs" could handle. At about the age of three Stephany's family moved to Ten Sleep, Wyoming, much to the delight of Grand Mother, and Grand Father Roden. After the divorce of her birth parents, Stephany and Sister Julia lived with John and Ellen Roden on the Roden Ranch, on the Upper Nowood creek. She attended the Ten Sleep School thru the third grade. The Roden Ranch was sold in 1995, and the Roden's moved to a new ranch out of Thermopolis. Stephany was adopted by her Grandparents, and her name was changed to Stephany Roden. She went to the Lucerne Grade School, Thermopolis Middle school, and Thermopolis High School, graduating in 2005 in the top of her class with honors. While in school Stephany was active in volleyball, and basketball, she hustled on the courts, and helped her teams to be competitive. Her real talent was in music, and she worked hard to become the #1 chair in Clarinet for the Bobcats Band, Marching Band, jazz band, making All District band and All State Band honors. While in High School Stephany was active in various activities, she especially liked working on the Senior Class yearbook, the Bobcat Choir and making the All-District Choir. Stephany lettered for four years and was a huge part of the Thermopolis Drama program. Her contributions helped to mold the program that still thrives today.
While growing up Stephany was active in many activities. Jobs Daughters, bowling at the old A&W, STAND, Close Up, music festivals, and 4-H; She was a member of the Cow Pokes, she earned many blue ribbons in sewing, ladies' fashion, and showing small animals especially her cat Bugsy. She also raised calves, showing in breeding beef, and feeder steers. She fed her steers to good weights, trained them to lead, and showed at the Hot Springs County Fair. Being a tender-hearted lady, she hated it and would shed tears when her steers were sold.
After High School, Stephany attended and graduated from Northwest College in Powell Wyoming. She graduated with an associate in arts degree and continued her education in Laramie, to become a music teacher. While in college she made many new friends and began her journey to become the Woman we all knew and loved. Stephany's music success included first chair in the college band, and she expanded her success to be featured playing her clarinet in the Billings Symphony Her travels took her to many concerts, museums, live shows, and fantastic destinations. One her most memorable trips were the week she spent in Costa Rica. She fell in love with the ocean and said, "sunsets will never be the same".
In the most recent years Stephany enjoyed a spontaneous lifestyle working in the Cody area for the Hospital and she spent many summers working at the Pahaksa Tepee resort meeting people from all around the world and creating lifelong friendships. During her time there she met her Fiancé Shaun Brem. Together they continued to explore and really enjoyed a life filled with nature, hiking, fishing, and rock hounding. Her sister Julia could expect a new picture of her rocks on a weekly basis. Although she passed before they could be wed, Stephany and Shaun loved and lived.
Stephany from a young age was always family oriented. She loved her family immensely and always enjoyed children of all ages. Stephany was a great sitter, nanny, and mentor to many children. Working with youth in Special Olympics, and kids in the Lights on program for the school district in Thermopolis was a joy in her life. Stephany and her brother JD were 10 years apart and she loved every minute of the baby years. Never having children of her own, she was the best Aunt any child could ask for. She was a loving addition into the lives of her Nieces Kaytlynne, Temprance and Kimber.
Stephany is survived by her Fiancé Shaun, Mother Sally, Adoptive Father JB Roden, Sister Julia, Brother In-Law Bill, Brother John Daniel, Sister in-law Emmie, Uncles Dan & John, and Nieces Kaytlynne, Temprance, Kimber, Riley and Nephew Thomas.
Preceded in death by her Grandma Ellen, Great Aunt Dorothie, Great Uncle George, and Great Grandma Julia.