Loretta Jean Niles Stever, 81, passed away March 18, 2024, at her home in Las Vegas, Nev.
She was born March 20, 1942, to her parents Cecil Eugene Niles and Laura Lucille Carlile, in Beaver, Okla.
She was raised mostly in Ulysses, graduating in 1960 from Grant County Rural High School, Ulysses. After her graduation, she attended Fort Hays State University for one semester.
She married Buddy Lee January 20, 1961, in Ulysses. This union was blessed with two sons: Brian Keith Lee and Mark Kevin Lee.
In 1965, they relocated to Las Vegas, Nev. Buddy died from injuries in a plane accident and Loretta continued to live, work and raise her boys in Las Vegas, where she was employed at Sears Coffee/Lunch counter in the Boulevard Mall. It was here that she met her lifelong friend, Bonnie Reynolds.
Loretta later earned her certification and received her license as a manicurist. Later, she trained and worked as a telephone operator for the Centel Telephone Company. She would transition to Caesar's Palace as a PBX operator for the casino and retired after being employed more than 25 years.
She met Jeffrey Lewis Stever and they married May 13, 1982, at the Little Chapel of the West at the Hacienda Hotel in Las Vegas. They then resided in Las Vegas during the winter months and farmed and owned Stever Farms in Baca County, Colo., during the summer farming months. They farmed up until Loretta's passing and Jeff's retirement in 2024,
Loretta was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many.
She was a member and attended the Holy Family Catholic Church in Las Vegas.
Loretta had a lovely singing voice and loved music. She always sang along with the many tunes on the radio or playing her favorite albums, especially those of her favorite, Elvis Presley. She enjoyed dancing as well. One of her favorite pastimes was tending to her roses in her courtyard.
She had a great love for her dogs.
As we bid farewell to Loretta, let us remember her not with sorrow, but with joy, love and laughter she brought into our lives. In her memory, let us live fully and love deeply.
Loretta was preceded in death by her first husband, Buddy Lee; and her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Jeff Stever, Las Vegas; two sons: Brian Lee, Las Vegas, and Mark Lee and wife, Brenda, Ulysses; two grandsons: Kevin Lee and Eric Lee, both of Avondale, Mo.; one great grandson, Eliott Kohl Lee; two sisters: Sheila Fuhrmann, and Joycelyn Wickwar, both of Ulysses.
A celebration of life for Loretta is planned for 7-9 p.m., Friday, November 15, at 800 West Lotus. Please join us in sharing memories, storytelling, and reflecting on her spirit.
