Genea Stedman

Genea Stedman, 26, of Byron, WY (formerly, Wahpeton/Dickinson, ND), passed away in her home on Friday, August 2, 2019, surrounded by her loving family. Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, August 11, 2019, with a Celebration of Life Service at 3 p.m., at Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge. A memorial service was held by Genea's family in Wyoming on Monday, August 5, 2019, and the interment will be held at a later date in Wyoming.

Genea was born in McMinnville, OR, on June 11, 1993. She grew up and attended school in Dickinson. At the age of 12, she was adopted into Ben and Tracie Simon’s family and grew up alongside 11 siblings. She continued her education at South Heart High School, South Heart, ND. During high school, Genea was active in FFA and her church youth group.

On March 3, 2012, Genea was united in marriage to Chance Stedman at New Life Pentecostal Church, Dickinson. They made their home there and were blessed with four children. During their seven years together, they lived in Wyoming and several towns in North Dakota. Each new place they lived was a new opportunity for Genea to make their house a home with beautifully crafted DIY decorations or special treasures she found at garage sales.

On January 3, 2019, Genea was first diagnosed with Stage III cervical cancer and in April, discovered it to be Stage IV cervical cancer. Alongside many rounds of treatment, Genea and her family decided to move back to Wyoming to be closer to her husband’s family.

Genea’s love was not quiet and it didn’t go unnoticed. She had the ability to make anyone feel loved and important; it was one of her greatest gifts. Every birthday and holiday was marked with her enthusiasm for creating new memories and lasting traditions. Most mornings she was at her sister’s house drinking coffee and most nights were spent around a table playing cards or board games. She loved bonfires, fishing, and going to the fair with her family; there wasn’t one parade that she wasn’t at helping her children collect candy from the side of the road.

Perseverance was woven into the fiber of her being; she was resourceful and determined to always find a solution despite the curveballs thrown at her. She never stopped fighting. She refused to let cancer stop her from making memories with her family and friends. This was evident in her last road trip a few weeks ago, visiting all her friends and family before being called home to God. Genea left a legacy of compassion and ferocious love that will never be forgotten.

Genea will be greatly missed by her husband, Chance Stedman; children, Shae, Kinslee, Bentley, and Emersyn;  adoptive parents, Ben and Tracie Simons of Medora, ND; siblings, Brittany (Casey) Summit and their children of Wahpeton and Chris (Brookelynn) Rickabaugh and their daughter of Mantador, ND; adoptive siblings, Abe, Mason, Bobbie, Dannie, Chance, Cooper, Lee, Jamie, Wytnie, Jamie, Barbie of Medora; step-siblings, Lori (Deidreick) Ibaceta of Dickinson and Amber (David) Baxter of Bismarck, ND; grandparents, Debra Hollis, and Robert and Lori Simons of Dickinson; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her dad, Darrin Rickabaugh; maternal grandfather, Billy Hollis; grandpa, Al Dauenhauer; and cousin, Alicia Hollis.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge.