Jennifer Kay Stephens

Jennifer Kay (Jen) Stephens of Filer, Idaho, passed away surrounded by family and friends November 24, 2023. Jen was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on March 8, 1967, to Charles and Myra Kueter.

Jen moved to Hills, Minnesota at an early age. There she grew up on the family farm chasing her grandma's chickens. In Hills, Jen attended school and graduated from Hills-Beaver Creek High School and from there she went on to pursue a teaching degree at several colleges before finishing at Northern State University Aberdeen, South Dakota. There, she graduated with a double major in Elementary Education and Special Education. Shortly after, Jen took a job in Filer, Idaho teaching Special Education at the high school in 1991. It is there where she met her future husband, Mathew Stephens, and after three dates they were inseparable for 31 years.

Jen and Matt went on to have three children, Cheyenne, Zane, and Carson. In the middle of raising three children Jen found her calling with the “littles” - as she so affectionately called them - in the preschool room in Filer Elementary School. She went on to earn her Early Childhood Education certificate and stayed with the preschool for 20 years where she touched hundreds of lives over the years.

Jen was the queen of putting others before herself, especially when it came to her family. Jen was always there for her family. Taking care of us the best way she knew how. She would be there in the blink of an eye if her husband called because he cut off a finger, or her kids called because they needed her to hold a baby. Jen loved Jeeping with her husband and having some retail therapy at Ross and Home Goods with her daughter and granddaughters. 

We are all heartbroken by this sudden loss and struggle to see how life will go on without seeing her beautiful smile every day. 

Jen was preceded in death by her mom, Myra Kueter; and brother, Joseph Kueter.

Jen is survived by her father, Charles Kueter; husband, Mathew Stephens; children, Cheyenne (Drew) Olsen, Zane Stephens and Carson Stephens; granddaughters, Whylie Mae Stephens, Willow Elaine Stephens, and Iyla May Olsen; brother, James (Kari) Kueter; sisters, Joyce (Brian) Meffert and Jeanette (Daryl) Spanns; and countless nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm, with seating to start at 12:30 pm, Saturday, January 13, 2023, at the Life of Pastoor Event Center, 215 Fair Ave, Filer.

Memorial Donations in Jen's name may be made to The Jennifer Stephens Memorial Scholarship, PO Box 404 Filer, Idaho, 83328.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Jen’s memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.