Freda Mae (Billington) Stevens

Freda Mae Billington Stevens was born on September 26, 1933 in St. Francis, Kansas. Her parents were Lloyd Harvey and Mae Evans Billington. It was during the Dust Bowl when damp sheets or blankets were hung at the windows and doors to help keep the dust down. The family lived about 25 miles north of Kanorado, Kansas. She was joined by a brother, Harvey in 1936 and a sister, Elvera in 1939. Her father passed away in 1968 and her mother in 1971.

Freda started school in a one-room schoolhouse; she was the only 1st grade student. There was no electricity or running water. She learned to read by fire light. Her 2nd grade class had two students. She started 3rd grade in Burlington, Colorado where she finished school. She was in choir, band and all the music programs she could join. There were four students who sang together on many occasions and were asked to sing for a funeral while in 7th grade for a classmate’s brother who died in a truck accident. This led to her singing for many funerals. She enjoyed singing for the church chorus, alumni musicals in the summers and many cantatas and community choirs over the years. She was a long-time member of the First Congregational Church in Flagler and was well-known for her solos, especially “O Holy Night” and other Christmas carols.

On January 5, 1952 she married Richard Dean Stevens in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado.. They were blessed with (in Freda’s words) “ four beautiful and talented children. They were the love of our lives.” – Margie, Randy, Bart and Kevin. They married Alvin Fisher, Carolyn Niemann, Sharon Niemann, and Celeste Blanchard. “They gave us 10 wonderful grandchildren: Linda Helpinstine, Lora Edgell, Jeremy Fisher, Craig and Ryan Stevens, Andy and Sarah Stevens Owen, Kelsey, Bryce and Brandon Stevens.”

Dean and Freda lived in Burlington, Colorado; Brush, Colorado; Flagler, Colorado; Cottonwood, Arizona; and Julesburg, Colorado. She worked side-by-side with Dean at D & D Cleaners in Flagler but her role as wife, mother, and homemaker was foremost in her life. Freda held a number of jobs including Ottemans grocery store after the cleaning shop was sold. Being a family and community-minded individual, she was always there for her children and grandchildren's school events. She was the best mother a child could ask for. She supported Dean in his various businesses. When Dean became ill, they sold their home in Julesburg. Dean passed away in Denver on January 11, 2006. Freda bought a condo at Morningside Condos in Denver where she made many friends and enjoyed volunteering, singing in choirs and playing cards with friends. She sang with a traveling, professional choir that performed at various retirement communities. She enjoyed volunteering at a local church (the Visiting Angels) assisting the elderly with their personal care. Her life was full of love, joy and tears. She sold her condo and moved to Five Star Residence in Denver in October 2024 and to Bee Hive Assisted Living in Parker, Colorado in January 2026.

Freda is survived by her children Margie (Alvin) Fisher of Wray, Colorado, Randy (Carolyn) Stevens of Centennial, Colorado, Bart (Sharon) Stevens of Castle Rock, Colorado, and Kevin Stevens of Windsor, Colorado; 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren Linda Fisher, Tasha Fisher, Andy and Olivette Listol and Matthias Poole of Wray, Colorado, Trista, Grayson and Aoife O’Toole of Sterling, Colorado, Pallas VanTassell of Wray, Colorado, Lora Kreifel, Samantha, Austin and Jaxon Johnson, Kristen and Brandon Atchley of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, Jeremy, Melanie, Jake and Taylor Fisher of Johnstown, Colorado, Katelyn and Chasyn Campbell of Burlington, Colorado, Craig, Nancy, Elise and Alexis Stevens of Centennial, Colorado, Ryan Stevens and Justina Yeiser of Littleton, Colorado, Andy, Molly, Brelyn and Brooklyn Stevens of Nolensville, Tennessee, Sarah, Sean, Makena and Brooks Owen of Castle Rock, Colorado, Kelsey Stevens, Isla, Reid, Rowen and Oliver Sampsel of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Brandon Stevens of Loveland, Colorado. She is also survived by her brother, Harvey Billington of Provo, Utah, and her sister, Elvera Johnson of Springfield, Missouri, a brother-in-law, Dallas Stevens of Burlington, Colorado and a sister-in-law, Connie Ridder of Burlington, Colorado, as well as, a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dean, and a grandson, Bryce Stevens.

A celebration of life service for Freda will be held at the First Congregational Church in Flagler, Colorado on Saturday, February 7 at 11:30 a.m. Private interment will be held later. Memorials are suggested to the donor’s church of choice.