Vanda Lois O'Leary-Eversole Obituary (1933 - 2022)

Vanda Lois O’Leary-Eversole, 89, a wonderful mother, devoted wife, loving grandmother, favorite auntie and dear friend, passed away, peacefully, with her family by her side, in her home, June 21, 2022, in Cedar City, Utah. Vanda was born April 3, 1933, in Milford, Utah. She was the youngest of four children to Frederick William O’Leary and Hilda Fontella (Christiansen) O’Leary. Vanda grew up in Milford, Utah and eventually went to Milford High School, home of the Tigers. Vanda was a proud Tigerette and one of the first female student body presidents in her senior year 1950-51. Vanda shared many fond memories over the years of her dear high school friends and the great time she had growing up in Milford. Vanda worked for a short time in Milford for JC Penney and loved dressing store windows. After graduation, she was invited to work as a telephone operator in Milford. This was one of her favorite jobs and eventually became a decades-long career path. Vanda moved to Las Vegas to live with her brother Bert in 1953. She moved in with a group of gals who became lifetime friends and, soon, became a telephone operator for Southern Nevada Telephone in 1953, which later became Centel. She worked in several roles within Centel, but loved Operator Services the most. Vanda was President of the Centel Leadership Club, and was highly esteemed by her colleagues. She had so many cherished memories and friends from her career over the years she loved working there and retired in April 1990 after 37 years of service. Early in her career, in Las Vegas, she met and married, Merrell Gene Eversole, a Marine at the time, who eventually served with the Clark County Deputy Sheriff Office and then Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The two built a wonderful life together in Las Vegas where they raised their 3 children, Gary, Kathy and Tracy. They loved following the Running Rebels in the 70s and were big St. Louis Cardinals fans. They traveled everywhere to watch their son’s football career flourish, with the girls in tow, and built a cabin together on Cedar Mountain, a legacy the entire family enjoys today. Vanda was extremely creative and for various celebrations she handmade cards and created hand-drawn scrapbooks for all of her friends and family. She loved painting, sewing, quilting, crocheting, Cross-stitch and also enjoyed making paper dolls for all of her granddaughters, by hand. Vanda was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many callings over the years. She loved her sister-companions while visiting teaching and formed many treasured friendships during her time serving in church. Vanda loved spending time doing genealogy work for her family and others. Vanda was preceded in death by her loving parents, Hilda and Fred, her devoted husband, Gene, her son, Gary, and her siblings, sister, Kathlyn Holm and brothers, Freddie and Bert O’Leary. She is survived by her daughters and (sons), Kathlyn “Kat” Eversole and JR Jaramillo, and Tracy and Dennis Ruiz. 10 beautiful Grandchildren and 17 adorable Great-grandchildren. A “Celebration of Life” Memorial Service for Vanda Lois O’Leary-Eversole will be held July 16, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at the Mountain View Ward Chapel, 1120 W Green Lakes Drive, Cedar City, 84720. Please come share your stories and memories about your time with Vanda. Immediately following our celebration, lunch will be provided for all our friends and family in attendance. Final arrangements are under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences may be left at mortuary.org.