Ora King

Ora Bernard Roller King passed away on May 11, 2012 in Chico, CA. She was born Nov. 8, 1911 on the family homestead outside Williston, ND to Van and Mary Ellen Bernard. She was the youngest of 5 children. All have passed. King was not thriving in the harsh winter weather. A doctor suggested the family move to a warmer climate. Her father, Van Bernard, like the sound of the name "Willows", so that is where the family got off the train about 1913. They called it the "gooseland" due to the number of geese out in the Codora area. Bernard was the elected assemblyman from the area during the 1920's. Oro King attended Codora Grammar School and Princeton High School. She married Murphy Roller and raised five children in Ord Bend: Jim Roller of Phoenix, AZ; John Roller of Ord Bend; Sara Roller of Snohomish, WA; and the late Rebecca (Roller) Hedgcock and Julia (Roller) Simson. Ora was active in the Ord Bend community as a member of the women's club and she served on the Ord Bend Grammar School board. She was a homemaker, mother, and farmer. She loved music and to dance. She played music by 'ear' and learned to dance as an adult. Her last dancing days were as a volunteer at Chico Community Hospital. She would literally dance down the halls with the volunteer musicians as they cheered patients. Also, if you were her friend, she would share a particularly wicked joke, which just tickled her. Ora loved people. She moved to Chico in 1967, and volunteered at Chico Community Hospital for 17 years. Both of her husbands (Roller and King) have passed. She also leaves 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren; in addition to nieces, nephews and their families. Services are set for June 9, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Brusie Funeral Home, 626 Broadway, Chico. CA. Following the services the family welcomes you to a celebration gathering at the Ord Bend Community Hall, 3241 Highway 45 Ord Bend, CA. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Hamilton High School FFA, PO Box 488, Hamilton City, CA 95951, or the charity of your choice.