Leorna Vae (Buckley) Andersen, 94, passed away of natural causes January 12, 2017, in The Dalles, Oregon. Leorna was born in Vacaville, California on March 22, 1922, to Ellwood and Verna (Stottlemyer) Buckley. Leorna moved with her parents in 1930 to Yuba City, California where she lived most of her life, met her husband Claude Bernard “Bert” Andersen, and together they built a home and raised a family. Leorna and Bert moved to Oregon in 2007 to live closer to family.

Leorna’s parents had a farm and peach orchard on Walton Avenue, and she attended Barry Elementary School. Leorna graduated from Yuba City High School in 1939, received an Associate of Arts degree from Yuba College in 1941, and graduated with honors from Chico State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics in 1943.

After college, Leorna worked for Western Union in Marysville. The company sent her to Western Union School in Santa Cruz for the summer. Leorna loved the beach and attended USO dances at Fort Ord. Back in Marysville, Leorna was a teletype operator and night manager.

At a dance shortly after World War II ended, Leorna met Bert Andersen who had just returned from service in the US Navy, Pacific Theater. They married on February 1, 1946, in Reno, Nevada. Bert worked as a carpenter, and Leorna continued employment for Western Union until, like many women, she was laid off as men returned from the war. Housing was in short supply, so Leorna and Bert were thrilled when they found a corner lot for sale on South Barrett Road and LaCasa Avenue in Yuba City. Bert dug the well by hand and built a garage outfitted with living quarters. One of Leorna’s happiest memories was moving into their own place. She started landscaping the lot, they drew their own house plans, and Bert did construction on the main house every evening after work. They moved into the home in October, 1948, and their daughter Janet was born in May, 1949. Their family was complete when their son Howard was born in May, 1951.

Leorna’s great joy was family activities—almost every week they would go camping, boating, hiking, fishing, or sightseeing, both locally and across the United States. Leorna loved gardening, and their large lot was like a park, the favorite play spot for her own children as well as the neighborhood kids.

Leorna is survived by her daughter, Janet (Randy) Stegemeyer of Port Orchard, Washington; son Howard (Conni) Andersen of The Dalles, Oregon; granddaughter Laura (Sommer) Andersen of Camas, Washington; grandson Larry (Stephanie) Andersen of Pendleton, Indiana; sister Marjorie (Emery) Probst of Live Oak, California; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Bert; and granddaughters Jennifer Ellis and Cherilyn Andersen.

A farewell service is scheduled for Thursday, April 13, at 11:00 AM, graveside at Sutter Cemetery, 7200 Butte Ave., Sutter, California 95982 (530.755-0346).

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.