Laura Louise (Thomas) Orndorff, 85, of Gettysburg, died Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at Gettysburg Hospital. She was the wife of the late Joseph H. Orndorff, Sr., who died in 1975.

Born September 7, 1924 in Fayetteville, PA, she was a daughter of the late William H. and Maude Mae (Peck) Thomas.

Louise was a member of the Gettysburg Seventh-day Adventist Church where she served as Assistant Dorcas Leader, Bible School teacher, and bus driver for the church school. She was employed as a practical nurse for over 32 years at a number of local facilities, including Green Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Pape's Convalescent Home, and her own private convalescent home, retiring in 1988.

In her free time, Louise loved to bake, cook, and feed anyone who happened to be near. She also took great pride in serving as the neighborhood captain for the yearly cancer drive.

Surviving are two sons, Joseph H. Orndorff, Jr., and his partner Joseph Bekisz of Bethesda, MD, and William H.L. Orndorff and his wife Denise of Harrisburg; three daughters, Linda C. Beasley of Gettysburg, Sharon Louise Bowie and her husband Adriel of Gettysburg, and Debra Sue Orndorff-Wills of Gettysburg; two brothers; nine sisters; five grandchildren, Laura Beasley, Holly Greenawalt, Brian L. Bowie, Esmeralda M. Orndorff, and Hannah E. Orndorff; and five great-grandchildren, Logan Shetter, Madison Shetter, Morgan Bowie, Brian L. Bowie, Jr., and Brianna Bowling.

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Adrian L. Bowie; three sisters; and five brothers.

A private graveside service will be held in Evergreen Cemetery.

Louise always had a warm smile and a friendly word. She would stop and talk to anyone in her path. In her memory, the family requests that you take a moment and speak to a lonely person and, if you have any extra food on the stove, offer them a bite!

To share memories of Louise, please click on "Sign Guest Book" above.