Lela M. Van Orden

Lela Marie (Ferguson) Van Orden left this world on March 24, 2021.She was born on May 18, 1931, in Borger, Texas. She was the oldest of four children born to Ralph Dee Ferguson and Gladys Taylor Ferguson. The family lived in various places as her father worked for traveling grain harvesting crews all over the central US. They lived in Michigan for a while, and when Lela was 18 her family moved to Montana, spending a very cold winter in White Sulfur Springs before they moved into Livingston where she lived most of her adult life.Lela met and later married Perry E. Van Orden on August 12, 1956. They spent 64 years together and had two children, Donna J. Delich and Hollie Ericksen; 6 grandchildren, Miranda (Robert Mason), Dustin Juvan (Ericka) and Jared, Erin, Russel, and Katie Ericksen; and three great-grandchildren, Alanis Ziegler, Arianna Davis, and Kinsley Juvan.Perry worked for the railroad in Livingston until they were transferred to Glendive for a while. Perry retired from the Railroad and they came back to live in Livingston, to be near their family. Lela was a wonderful cook and taught her daughters how to cook and sew. She became an avid quilter and was part of a lovely quilt group that she enjoyed until she became unable to quilt anymore. She made beautiful quilts that graced her home and were gifted to her family and friends. Lela was a member of the LDS church and spent much time in her younger years serving different callings in the church and was a visiting teacher much of her life. She enjoyed her church friends and had a strong faith that she shared with her family. She had wonderful values that she taught her children and grandchildren with family being the most valued gift.Lela stayed close to her siblings and other family after her parents passed away and she was active in working on the genealogy of her family throughout her life. She enjoyed going to the temple and doing the work for those who died before her. Lela was preceded in death by her husband, Perry E. Van Orden; her parents, Ralph Dee Ferguson and Gladys Taylor Ferguson; her brother, Ralph Dee Ferguson; sister, Darlene Martin (Edward); and her grandparents and various aunts and uncles and cousins.Lela is survived by her daughters, Donna Delich (Warren) and Hollie Ericksen (Jan); grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister, Susan Walters (Paul); and various nieces and nephews.She will be missed by her family and friends.A memorial service for Lela will be held Saturday, April 10, 11:00am, at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter day Saints, 110 W. Summit, Livingston.Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.