Vernice Rianda

Vernice Rianda leaves behind a legacy of unparalleled kindness and selflessness.

She died Dec. 10, 2016. She was 88.

Vernice and her husband, Allen, retired to South Lake Tahoe in 1983. Vernice worked at the Lake Tahoe Community College bookstore for many years.

She loved spending time with her grandchildren and family, and rooting for the San Francisco Giants.

In 2013, she left the snow for her final move to Gold Country in Sutter Creek. Her family and friends were the most important part of her life.

Vernice was born on Valentine’s Day 1928 in Parks, Neb. During the height of the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, her family moved to Colorado. She grew up in Denver with seven siblings.

In 1947, she graduated from East High School and moved west to San Francisco, where she met her husband and Oakland native, Allen. They settled in Salinas where they raised four children. She worked for Monterey County Municipal Court as a clerk for 15 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen, of 57 years; son Robert; and daughter Ginger.

She is survived by her daughters, Linda Rianda of Sutter Creek; Sue (Bob) Novasel of South Lake Tahoe; daughter-in-law, Vera Rianda of Springfield, Ore.; granddaughters, Shayna Dorris of San Antonio, Texas; Meghan Dorris of Gardnerville; Kylie Novasel of Aspen, Colo., and Molly Novasel of South Lake Tahoe; and her great-granddaughter Ianthe.

Graveside services will be Dec. 19 at 10am at Happy Homestead Cemetery in South Lake Tahoe. There will be a celebration of life immediately afterward at Lake Tahoe Golf Course in Meyers.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, 1485 Cherry Hills Circle, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.