Oleta "Lee" Alberta Stafford

Mrs. Stafford Dies; Funeral to Be this Thursday

Funeral service for Mrs. C. J. (Oleta) Stafford, 63, will be held this Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at the Peet Chapel.

Mrs. Stafford had returned to Lusk April 19, after having surgery in Casper April 8. She was admitted to the Niobrara County Memorial Hospital suffering mild pneumonia on April 20 and died early on the morning of April 22.

The service will be conducted by the Rev. Robert Boutwell. Mrs. Dale M. Bardo, organist will play selections from favorite anthems sung by Mrs. Stafford while she was a member of the Congregational Church Choir.

Casket bearers will be Gerald Bardo, Dale M. Bardo, James Willson, H. M. Klindt, Robert Templeton and R. C. Bafford. Burial will be in the Lusk Cemetery.

Oleta Alberta Marple Stafford, who was known by friends as "Lee" was born March 17, 1911 to John Wesley and Estella Marple, in Anderson County, Kan. near Garnett. Her schooling was in Garnett and in Baldwin where her mother was a house-mother to a fraternity.

Later she was associated with Penny Stores in Wichita for a number of years. She met and married C. J. Stafford in Wichita in January 1942 and soon after he was engaged in geological work for a number of oil companies.

They moved to Wyoming in 1943 and settled in Lusk where Oleta became active in church work, specifically in music of the church, a project in which he had been active since early childhood.

Singing in Lusk for more than 20 years, under five choir directors, she displayed loyalty and faithful attendance and used her perfectly pitched and clear voice for the Glory of God, say those who worked with her.

In her choir work she could be considered a model for all church singers - was punctual, eager to work and learn and improve, striving for the best.

Following two heart operations in Denver, she was less active than before, but still maintained a rigid schedule.

Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Mrs. James Yost, Portland, Ore.; a sister, Mrs. James Boyer of Perris, Calif. a brother, Charles Marple, Bridger, Mont and three grandsons.

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