Michael Kevin Stevens, age 58, of Edgemont, SD, passed away Saturday, November 5, 2011, at Custer Regional Hospital after a short illness. He was born July 2, 1953, in Aberdeen, SD; the first-born child of parents Duane and Agnes Stevens of Faulkton SD. He spent his childhood on the family farm near Miranda, SD, attending grade school at Centerville school, a one-room country school then attended Faulkton High School, graduating in 1971.

Mike eventually became the big brother to nine other siblings: Maureen, Patrick, Colleen, Erin, Kathleen, Timothy, Shannon, Kelly and Theresa. Even though he was raised on the farm, his passion was writing songs and singing. He began entertaining on stage at the age of six and continued until the time of his death. He was a member of both Rock and Roll and Christian music bands in California and South Dakota.

He married Linda Eiesland in Rapid City, SD on August 2, 1980, and had one son, Derek Michael, who was born in 1981. They moved to California for nine years before returning to South Dakota and settling in Pringle then eventually Edgemont.

Mike is survived by his wife, Linda of Edgemont; son, Derek of Rapid City, his mother, Agnes Stevens of Faulkton, SD; sisters: Maureen Eiesland, Rapid City, SD; Colleen Stevens, Buffalo Gap, SD; Erin Talbot, San Gabriel, CA; Kathleen Ybanez, Eugene, OR; Shannon Miles, Sioux Falls, SD and Theresa Wilkes, Valencia, CA; brothers: Patrick Stevens, Cresbard, SD; Timothy Stevens, Escondido, CA; Kelly Stevens, Faulkton, SD. His mother-in-law, Joanne Eiesland of Custer, SD; brothers-in-laws Lonny Eiesland of Piedmont, SD; Jerry Eiesland of Rapid City, SD; Vic Eiesland of Custer, SD; and Steve Eiesland of Edgemont, SD. Sisters-in-law: Diane Eiesland , Edgemont, SD and Loretta Eiesland, Black Hawk, SD, his many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, and a multitude of friends.

He was preceded in death by his all grandparents, his father, Duane Stevens, his father-in-law Keith Eiesland, nephews Cody Neilan, Jeremy Eiesland and Colby Eiesland and two wonderful cousins, Alan Marks of Aberdeen, SD and Claire Ketterling of San Clemente, California.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 10, 2011, at 1:00 pm in Hot Springs, SD at the Fountain of Life Assembly of God Church, 1828 University Avenue. Burial will follow in the Pringle Cemetery, Pringle, SD.

Condolences may be sent to the church or to PO Box 326, Edgemont, SD 57735.

Thank you to all of the staff at Custer Regional Hospital for taking such great care of our Michael. He was loved deeply by so many people and will be missed for the rest of our lives.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com