Vaunda Oliverson Rallison

Vaunda O. Rallison passed away peacefully, Tuesday March 31, 2015 surrounded by her family.

Vaunda was born on February 11, 1938 in Franklin Idaho to Mildred Lowe Oliverson and Douglas Oliverson.  She spent her childhood playing and riding horses in the Mountains above Franklin with her 2 older brothers Glenn and LuZon Oliverson.  She got pretty good at riding horses and later was crowned That Famous Preston Night Rodeo Queen in 1955.  Vaunda spent many a happy afternoon riding with her children and many other youth she taught in several 4-H Horse clubs.  She was famous for leading the way on adventures on horseback with many 4-H and youth groups to explore new mountain trails or river valleys, Vaunda was always at the head of the pack when it came to having fun in the outdoors.

Vaunda Graduated From USU in Elementary Education.  She taught and substituted School for over 30 years in Preston.   She could remember the names of hundreds of her elementary and even kindergarten students over the years and seemed to always run into an old student wherever she went and was always greeted with a “Hello Mrs. Rallison, remember me?”  And she always did.

Vaunda married Orval Rallison, “The most Handsome Football Player at USU” in July of 1957. They lived in Logan while Orval finished his degree in Engineering and after graduation, Orval got a job with the Forrest Service.  They packed up their 1956 Chevy with the few belongings,  including their beautiful new Baby Girl Susan and headed off on an adventure that took them to Missoula Montana, Boise Idaho, and finally in 1969, settling in Franklin Idaho.  By this time they had added 2 Toe-headed boys, David and Douglas and another daughter Rozanne to make their family complete.

Vaunda lived her next 45 years in Franklin Idaho where she enjoyed being active in the County 4-H program, County Fair Board and Preston Rodeo Queen Chairperson for many years.  She was active in the Franklin LDS Ward Choir and was a music leader in every church position available.  Vaunda was always in the middle of where the fun and excitement was, Road shows, Ward Plays, Melodramas  Etc.  She had a zest for life.

After all the Kids were out of the house Vaunda and Orval found they enjoyed snowmobiling and riding their 4-wheelers in the mountains with a special group of friends.  They would load up and head to the Hills every chance they got winter, spring, summer or fall and shared many special memories and good times with this group of friends that consequently grew larger every year.

Orval and Vaunda were able to serve and LDS Mission to Oakland California, teaching the Laotian refugees and another at Martins Cove WY.  They also loved their many years serving as Ordinance Workers in the Logan Temple.  As usual, Vaunda made many new friends where every they would go and many fond memories that would help support her when Orval passed away in March of 2010 from Leukemia.  They are together again now, happily exploring all their “Mountains and Valleys” forever. 

Vaunda was preceeded in death by her parents, Douglas Oliverson and Mildred Lowe Oliverson, 2 Brothers, Glenn and Dennis Oliverson, 2 Grandsons Jason and Justin Rallison and her Dear Companion Orval James Rallison.  Orval and Vaunda leave a Legacy of 4 Children, Susan (Reed) Hart, Preston,  David (Sherry) Rallison, Franklin, Douglas (Sherrie) Franklin and Rozanne (Rod) Ashby Garland, UT.  They have 20 Wonderful Grandchildren who have blessed them with 17 Beautiful Great-Grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 12:00 noon in the Franklin LDS Stake Center. A Viewing will be held Sunday April 5, from 6-8 p.m. at Webb Funeral Home, 1005 South 800 East in Preston and Monday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the stake center. Interment will be in the Franklin Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.webbmortuary.com