Orlene E. Ashcraft

December 27, 1919 - December 21, 2017

Orlene passed away quietly in her sleep in San Diego. She was born in Kansas City, MO to Alice and Orley Nesselroad. She was the second of five children. She attended S.B. Ladd Elementary, Central Junior and Senior High Schools and completed her A.A. Degree at Kansas City Junior College. She married Bill Ashcraft and they lived in CA while Bill was in the Air Force. After returning to Kansas City, Orlene worked at Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Co. as an executive secretary for 30 years. She and Bill enjoyed travel in the U.S., including Hawaii, plus Mexico and also in Europe. She retired from Panhandle after 30 years to assist in caring for her parents during their final years. When Bill retired from British Petroleum they began to give serious consideration to spending their retirement years in CA. They found their dream location in Rancho Bernardo where they spent 20 years making new friends and welcoming visits from earlier friends and family. They hosted their 50th at Rancho Bernardo Inn after a Nesselroad Family Reunion the previous summer attended by friends and family from Alaska, California, Colorado, Kansas and Montana and hosted by her long-time friend Gerry Lay from Kansas City, MO. Orlene was active in Continuing Education opportunities in Rancho Bernardo for many years. She and Bill loved to drive over to the coast to enjoy the beach and the ocean. They often took their visitors over there to picnic or to dine at seafood restaurants. They traveled to the San Francisco Bay Area to visit her Brother Jack’s family and see the sights in Northern California. Orlene was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her parents, Alice and Orley, her brother, Paul Nesselroad, and her sister, Louise Holtzinger. She is survived by and will be greatly missed by her brother, Jack Nesselroad (wife Ruthie) of San Diego, her brother Ed Nesselroad (wife Pat) of Deming, NM and many nieces and nephews. Orlene was a very kind and thoughtful lady. She was always ready to help anyone who needed help. Her final resting place will be with her husband, Bill at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church where she and Bill served for many years. Address: 17010 Pomerado Rd. San Diego, CA 92128. Memorial gifts may be made to the church or charity of your choice in memory of Orlene.