Neva K. Stegman of Green Valley passed away on January 14, 2023.  Mrs. Stegman was retired from the Bureau of Reclamation after a 37-year career in the federal government.

She was born to Bill and Maureen Kirchner in Absarokee, Montana on April 9, 1930.  Growing up on the family ranch she loved helping her father with chores and spending time with her kittens who lived in the barn.  She graduated from Absarokee High School in 1948 as the class valedictorian.

Following graduation, she served in the Naval Reserve for two years before moving to Denver, Colorado to begin working for the Bureau of Reclamation.  There she met her future husband, Kenneth D. Dorris.  The couple married in Albuquerque, New Mexico where SSgt Dorris was stationed with the USAF.  They then transferred to Limestone AFB, Maine where their first daughter, Deborah Lee, was born in 1953.  The Dorris family moved to Ozona, Texas after Ken completed his four-year active-duty tour.  In 1956 a second daughter, Delaine Len was born and in 1957 the family moved to San Angelo, Texas.  Neva worked as a New Accounts Teller at San Angelo National Bank for 10 years.  A son, Kenneth Dorris, Jr., was born in 1964.  Neva returned to federal service in 1967 as a cashier at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo.

In 1972 Neva was transferred to Amarillo, Texas with the Bureau of Reclamation.  While there she was inducted in the sorority Beta Sigma Phi.  In 1975 she was installed as the first woman president of the Golden Spreaders Area 44 Toastmasters Club.

Neva's interests included a love of books, gardening, dancing, travelling, and her many friends.  She had the opportunity to visit her daughter, Deborah, and son-in-law, Jerry Bryant, when they lived in Turkey and again when they lived in Germany.  During these visits Deborah drove Neva extensively around Turkey, Germany, France, and Italy.

She married Robert Stegman in 2001 and moved to Green Valley, AZ.  Mr. Stegman passed away in 2016.

She enjoyed an active retirement in Green Valley with many interests.  She was a member of the Valley Presbyterian Church, met monthly with her new comer's group, The Prickly Pears, for many years and very involved in her local community and neighborhood groups.  She supported many charities, Public TV, University of Arizona, Animal League, White Elephant, to name a few.  She was a loving caregiver to her husband for 8 years.

Neva is survived by her daughters, Deborah Bryant, and Delaine Dorris, Son-in-law Jerry G Bryant, grandchildren, David Whiteley, Michelle Maggied, Brent Maggied, Lexi Dorris and Megan Dorris.

She was a frequent visitor to Madera Canyon a very special place in her heart.

If you would like us help us honor Neva donations can be made in her name to: Friends of Madera Canyon

https://friendsofmaderacanyon.org/