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Obituary: Stephen Reinert Copenhaver

December 19, 1930 - February 6, 2021
Stephen Reinert Copenhaver
Posted at 9:54 AM, Feb 13, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-13 11:56:05-05

Steve was born in Conrad, Montana on December 19,1930. He attended high school in Conrad and one year of college at Havre. It was here he met his bride to be, Nancy Fockler. After a year of college and the birth of their first child, they moved to a bunkhouse on Keith and Martha’s farm in the "East Community" twenty miles from Brady. Steve and Nancy built their first home and raised their four children with much love. Over time, Steve took over half of his father’s farm.

Steve was involved in local school boards, MT Farmers Union Cooperative, Tiber Water Board, Golden West Lutheran Church, and the Methodist Church of Lincoln. Steve was active with his family assisting with running the Brady O-Mok-See (horse games) competitions, group trail rides and Brady’s field polo club.

Steve and Nan were also involved in projects for fun, creating floats for The Annual Whoop-Up Parade and performing together in the annual talent shows with mime rou-tines. For a few years, they were a part of a bowling team. Through all the experiences of nature and farm life, they ensured a family vacation to Flathead Lake and Lake McDonald every year, music lessons for all the kids, and support for all their school ac-tivities and summer camps.

After hauling water to a cistern for his entire life, Steve and his brother, Wayne, were early to serve on, and Steve to chair for many years, the Tiber Water Board from the 1970s through early 2000s. This involvement with the water board, oversaw an exten-sive water pipeline brought to several communities in North Central Montana.

To read the complete obituary and share condolences, visit the Schnider Funeral Home website.