Hila V. (Peterson) Stevens, 81, passed away due to natural causes at Northern Montana Care Center on Friday, November 14, 2025.  Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel with Pastor Megan Hoewisch officiating.  Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.  Hila's family has suggested memorial donations be made in her memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the charity of the donor's choice.    Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Hila was born on July 7, 1944, in Havre to Arnold and Helen (Metzker) Peterson.  She was raised in Havre, graduating from Havre High School in 1962, and continued her education in Great Falls where she attended business school.  In 1970, she married David M. Stevens in Havre, and the couple made their home in Belgrade, where they raised their three children.  Over the years, Hila worked here and there for the US Postal Service, as a confectionary artist at a chocolate factory, and she owned her own candy store for a short while with her friend, Gwen.  For the most part, however, she was a homemaker, dedicating her time to her family.

Hila enjoyed attending stock car races with David, crocheting, watching mystery shows on TV, reading until she started having eye trouble, her lunch with high school friends, and she loved her sparkly fingernails.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arnold and Helen Peterson; and her brothers, Jack and Arnie Peterson.

Hila is survived by her beloved husband of 55 years, David M. Stevens of Havre; daughter, Trina (Kerry) Fortney of Bozeman; sons, Kim Wattam of Washington State and David W.  Stevens of Palm Springs, California; four grandchildren; Kimberlee Pritchett, Riley (Julia) Fortney, Deirdre Fortney, Jessa (Mark) Miller; one great-grandchild on the way; sisters, Edith Tidrick of Brentwood, California, and Charlis Carpenter and Jody (Don) Peterson, both of Havre; brother, Charles "Bud" (Beverly) Peterson of Havre; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.