Keizer – Ora Lee passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, June 5, 2010.

 

            Ora Lee was born in Pueblo, Colorado one of three children of Amil and Julia Frey. The family lived on a farm in Lincoln County close to Sugar City. She attended Carr Crossing Elementary School, then moved on to attend and graduated from Ordway High School and completed one year at Pueblo Jr. College. While attending College she was employed by the New Era Weekly Newspaper in Ordway.  

 

            Her parents sold the farm so that they could live closer to family in Oregon. Before that move, her father died. Her mother and sister, Juanita, then made the move to Salem, Oregon in December of 1947. Her sister Flora was living and attending College in Pasadena, Calif. at the time of this move. Once moved, she was employed by the Oregon Department of Transportation for 39 years and then retired on April 30, 1990.

 

            She was married to Melvin G. Beard on December 28, 1956 at the First United Methodist Church on State Street. They were married for over 40 years.

 

            Ora Lee was a member of Beta Sigma Phi of the Marion-Polk Council for 53 years. She enjoyed the activities and the many friendships made over the years. She also enjoyed spending time with family in various activities especially shopping trips to Portland and trips to Hawaii; Leavenworth, Washington; Colorado Rockies and a visit to the family farm in Lincoln County, Colorado.

 

            She was preceded in death by her parents, Amil and Julia Frey, and her husband Melvin Beard. She is survived by her sisters, Flora Kuntz, Juanita Bryan and Brother-In-Law Duane Kuntz; nieces, Nova Smith, Nina Stockwell, Tamie Warner; nephew Randy Bryan, and 4 great-nieces, and 2 great-nephews.

 

            Funeral services will be held at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service, 605 Commercial St. SE, Salem, OR, at 1:00 P.M. Friday, June 11, 2010. Burial at Restlawn Cemetery 201 Oak Grove Rd. NW, Salem, OR.