Verna Lou Orendorf

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, Verna Lou Abel Tate Orendorf passed away peacefully on June 23, 2025 at her home in Nanticoke, Md. (Age:93). Born in Stephen, Minnesota, she was the daughter of William Abel and Elna Tranberg Abel.

Verna had three great loves: family, horses, and travel. She is survived by Ray Orendorf (Nanticoke, Md) her loving husband of 68 years, her daughter Loralie Parks (Nanticoke, Md), son Wyatt Orendorf (Monika Orendorf, Montgomery Alabama). Her beloved son William Lee Tate predeceased her on June 5, 2021. She also had five grandchildren: Rachael Adams of Northeast, Md (Stephen); Scott Parks of Wilmington, NC.; Michelle Scheibe of Kennett Square, Pa (Paul); Dustin Orendorf of Crookston, Minn. and Tasha Goff of Naples, Florida (Zach). She was also the proud great grandmother of three: Christian Scheibe, Henry Scheibe, and Grayson Goff. Verna loved all the wonderful times she spent with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had a lasting, special love for her devoted husband, Ray.

Verna set out as a four year old dragging her dad’s workhorse halter with the intention of buying herself a pony. Her parents were convinced to buy her first pony that year. She and her pony Daisy spent many happy months roaming the fields of Minnesota. Later, in her teen years, Verna would buy a retired racehorse, Topper, in Tucson, Arizona. She then began many years of competing in English jumping classes around the Tucson area. Even after relocating first to Delaware, then Maryland, and then Minnesota, Verna always had at least one horse in her backyard. Verna enjoyed a lifetime of loving horses and the thrill of riding them through fields and over jumps.

Verna and Ray enjoyed many wonderful trips. Besides spending winters in Arizona during the later years, they visited Germany, Japan, Mexico, Canada, Jamaica, and Bermuda. They traveled to all 50 states and went by RV, train, and cruise ship. They loved traveling with family, friends or on their own.

Verna believed in living every moment of life with gusto and love. She did so with a quiet determination, confidence and love.

In remembrance of Verna, a donation to a charity of your choice is greatly appreciated.