Vernice Velma Rianda 1928-2016

Vernice Rianda, former long-time Lake Tahoe Community College bookstore employee and mother of El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel, has passed away at the age of 88.

Vernice Rianda was born on Valentine’s Day 1928 in Parks, Nebraska. During the height of the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, her family moved to Colorado where she grew up in Denver with 7 siblings. In 1947, she graduated from East High School and moved west to San Francisco, California where she met her husband Allen, an Oakland native. They settled in Salinas where they raised four children. She worked for Monterey County Municipal Court as a clerk for 15 years.

The Riandas retired to South Lake Tahoe in 1983 where 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 and moved to Sutter Creek, in the heart of Gold Country. Her family and friends were the most important part of her life. She leaves behind a legacy of unparalleled kindness and selflessness.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Allen, of 57 years; her 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, Oregon; granddaughters, Shayna Dorris of San Antonio, Texas; Meghan Dorris of Gardnerville, Nevada; Kylie Novasel of Aspen, Colorado and Molly Novasel of South Lake Tahoe and her great-granddaughter, Ianthe.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, December 19, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Happy Homestead Cemetery in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Please join the family immediately following the services in celebrating her life at the Lake Tahoe Golf Course. Vernice had a special place in her heart for the Lake Tahoe wildlife, especially the bears.

In lieu of flowers; please donate in her name to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, ltwc.org or 1485 Cherry Hills Circle, South Lake Tahoe, Calif., 96150. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting http://www.danerimortuary.com and signing the guest book.