Steven LeRoy Ayers spent most of his life doing what he loved to do best…farm. He started with his peddle tractor and was still farming on the last day of his life. His life came to an end in the early morning hours of June 5, 2020 at the St. Vincent Hospital in Billings. Some of his family was by his side near the end.
Steve was born in Miles City on May 29, 1952 to Bernard Ayers and Mildred (Wheeler) Ayers. After his birth, he soon went back to his home in Mildred with his parents and he joined his two sisters. He had two sister, Elaine and Susan and two brothers, Jeff and Doug. Steve started his education in Mildred. He did four years in Terry and then graduated from the 8th grade in Miles City. His high school years began at Mount Ellis Academy near Bozeman. He spent a year in Denver, Colorado at a SDA Academy where his sister taught. Steve started his farming career in Mildred working for Dick Kranzler as a farm hand when he was still in grade school. The Kranzler family was very special to him and continued to be throughout his life.
Steve also enjoyed working for his uncle Newman on his ranch outside Mildred. He worked along side his cousin Courtney. They developed a special bound and were more like brothers than cousins. This bound continued throughout his lifetime. He was very close to Courtney and his family. Steven took some time out from farming to give some service to his country. He joined the Army on November 29, 1972 and was discharged on November 14, 1974. Most of his time as Fort Hood, Texas. He spent most of the rest of his life working for farmers. The last were a few years for Gus Glasscock and then several years for Wayne and Mark Helland at Angela. He was very fond of Wayne and enjoyed working there very much. The Helland family was very kind to him.
He enjoyed traveling and made lots of trips to various places. He made several trips to Colorado the last few years to see his mother who was in a rest home there.
Steven is survived by his sisters, Elaine (Ron) Cloninger and Susan (Howard) Kohn; his brothers, Jeff and Doug; his special nieces and nephews; his special cousin/brother Courtney Ayers plus many other cousins all over the country. Steven was preceded in death by his grandparents, Alvie and Bertha Wheeler and Frank and Edna Ayers, his father Bernard Ayers, his mother Mildred (Wheeler) Ayers and several aunts and uncles.
Steve’s family would like to thank Mark Helland, the ambulance crew and the nurses and doctors at Holy Rosary and St. Vincent Hospital for the kind care they gave Steve as he came to the end of his life here on Earth.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, June 19, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday June 19, 2020
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday June 19, 2020
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Share
MARTHA CRANDALL says
My sympathy
Deb Jerrel says
What is sad deal… R.I.P Steve💔
Martha and Jeff Gilbertson says
Susan Kohn we are so sorry for the loss of your brother! Prayers and comfort for you in the days ahead!
Tracee Raymond says
To the Ayers family;
I was very sorry to hear about Steve and his passing. May he finally rest in peace.
Thomas E Masa says
Rest in peace , old friend
dawn beddes says
Im so sorry for your loss. Miss his kidding around when he came into Wendys…sending prayers
Wanda Ayers says
Jeff, Doug, Susan & Elaine
I’m sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. Hoping each of you will always remember many of the lighter, comical & truly one-of-a-kind stories that best describe your brother. My most recent memory is him proudly showing me his “new” car. It was same make & model as the other but a different color & minus the flames! The conversation took place with his photo album under one arm while gesturing with the other where the flames would go on the replacement car. Pointing out who was who in the pics, like I would never have known … priceless! Rest in peace Steve.
Tim and Diane Ehman says
We knew Steve quite well when he was in Mildred working for Kranzlers. RIP Steve.
Eleanor Koppenstein says
I remember Steve as a very young man before he started school, if his parents could have bottled his energy to sell they would be the owners of the secret to life. RIP Steve your family and friends will miss you.
Erin Leininger says
My sympathy. Sure will miss seeing you around town.
Sheila Kale says
Rest in peace Steve.
Curtis Fillafer says
Goodbye Steve many many long years of friendship. You couldn’t ask for a more considerate polite person. Steve always had a small and good things to respond about individuals. Doug and family I’m so sorry of your loss. It was so much of a shock to me and many others this happened.
Linda Walker says
Rest in peace Steve.
Amanda Hartgrave says
RIP steve I will miss all our jokes and memories durning your coffee at 4bs!!!!!
Sandi Bruce says
I’m so sorry for your loss!
Amber Nielson says
I am so very sorry for your loss. What a character Steve was and will be dearly missed.
Dave Baldwin says
Steve was farming at Kranslers when I first met him, he frequently had a funny story ,a smile, mischievous laughter, a subtle wink, And a new white Mustang II.
He would sometimes take my brothers and I out to flag fields that Dad was spraying there. Later when I was in school we were in auto shop class together at MCC. More stories laughter, smiles, and winks over coffee and pie. We sometimes worked on shop projects together. I saw a true gentleness under all that mischievous energy.
The storm of loss will become calm….Mark4:35-41 Blessings to you all in this difficult time.
Lois Bloom says
Growing up in Mildred, the Ayers family were one of our closer neighbors. Steve was closest to my age and he and his brothers and I played cowboys and Indians, caught frogs in the Mildred Creek, sledded the hills, climbed the M, etc. Steve later worked for my dad, Richard Kranzler. Whenever I came home to visit, somehow he knew I was in town and would visit which I will miss. He was a good man with a good heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to you, Ayers family. RIP Steve
Xina says
RIP Steve, I will remember and love your kindness always!
Lois Bloom says
Goodbye, my longtime friend.
Pam Carey Goplen says
Rest In Peace Steve…. I’ll always remember you and how you made me smile…thank you friend
Burch, Linda and Ray Palmer says
So long Steve. See you in the club in the sky. Burch and Linda
Marty and Jeanette O'Dea says
Susan and family, our deepest sympathy at your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers
Denise R Harvey says
Susan and family,
What a beautiful tribute with precious memories!
Sherry Farwell says
My sincere condolences to Courtney and the entire Ayers family.
Amy Fox says
Steve was a Hoot !!!