Orese Lois Vondra was born on the Hat Creek homestead on December 20, 1931 to Aubrey and Velda Miller. She attended school at Rough Rock, Lance Creek, Lusk, and Afton. She married Verne Vondra on August 8, 1948 in Lusk, Wyoming. They had two children, Ginger and Rocky.
Orese worked alongside her husband in ranching, moving houses and many other adventures over their 44 years together. In the late 1950’s she drove the school bus in Prairie Center, one year on the first day of school the principal offered her a job as a teacher until one was hired. She taught for several weeks and that is where she found her calling. She went back to college in 1967 and received a bachelor degree in education from the University of Wyoming in 1971. She taught school in Shirley Basin and retired from the Midwest school. She was a gifted teacher where she touched and changed many lives over the years.
She loved the Lord and was active in her church, playing piano and singing. She was always the first in line to help anyone in need. All have benefited from her love and help.
Orese is survived by her children Rocky and Ada Vondra and Ginger Harper, brother Patrick and Beverly Miller, sister Sharon and Jerry Kanode, 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by her parents Aubrey and Velda Miller, her husband Verne Vondra, two sisters Ora Lee Smith and Wyoma Miller, two brothers George and Clell Miller and her son-in-law Larry Harper. Graveside services will be at Wyoming Memorial Gardens on Friday, January 13 at 11 a.m.
A formal memorial service will be held this spring.
Memorial contributions in Orese’s memory may be made to Bar Nunn Baptist, 1401 Sunset Blvd, Bar Nunn, WY, 82601.
To leave a special message for Orese’s family, please visit www.NewcomerCasper.com
