Martha Jacoba (Papenfus) Stevenson
The Western News | UPDATED 2 hours, 29 minutes AGO
Martha Jacoba (Papenfus) Stevenson passed away Aug. 17, 2026, at her home in Libby, Montana.
She was born Nov. 6, 1945, in Reitz, Orange Free State, Republic of South Africa, to parents Carel and Christine Papenfus.
After matriculation from her hometown Reitz high school Martha enrolled with Helderberg College and received her Elementary Education diploma. After a year teaching elementary students in Durban, S. Africa She departed South Africa to begin a new life in the USA.
Three weeks after landing in the USA, Martha married Patrick Stevenson, Sept. 11, 1968. The wedding was in Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Michigan. They were blessed with two sons, Samuel and Carel.
Soon after the wedding, Martha became employed as a team teacher for a pilot program for severely handicapped children in Berrien County, Michigan. During her time as a teacher there she and Patrick started up a contract transportation business, providing customized transportation for the students at that school.
In 1977 Martha was auditing health education lectures, especially nutrition instruction under Dr U.D. Register at Loma Linda University School of Health. This prepared her for an unpaid educational role with Summersville Medical Clinic, and eventually as founder and manager of the Life & Health Natural Food store in Summersville, W. Virginia. She helped many people find a way to a better life.
At the age of 55, Martha returned to school, starting work for the RN degree in a local community college in Michigan, and completing and graduating the requirements for Licensed Vocation Nurse at College of The Desert, Palm Desert, California.
After one year as office nurse with an orthopedic surgeon, she became the founder and administrator of Les Chevaux Residential Care Homes for the elderly.
Martha is survived by her husband Patrick Stevenson; children Patrick Samuel Stevenson and Carel Theodorus Stevenson; grandchildren Beniamin Samuel Stevenson, Daniel Robert Stevenson, Michael Patrick Stevenson, and Isaabella Kennedie Schuessler; and siblings Johannes Papenfus (Reitz, South Africia) and Gerhardus Papensus (Pretoria, South Africa). Martha is preceded in death by her parents Carel T. and Christine Papenfus.
Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg and Riddle Funeral Home of Libby, Montana. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.