Vernae (Shorty) Lester, 88, of Soda Springs, Idaho passed away on July 9, 2022 after a brief illness and an extended struggle with dementia.

Shorty was born on August 23, 1933 to Ray William Windley and Pearl Edna Hansen Windley at Swan Creek, Utah.

In 1951, she married Ray Law  and they went on to have 3 children, Rae Ann Prescott (Randy) Davenport, Florida, Darrell Lynn Law (GayeLynn) Rigby, Idaho, and Michael Ray Law (Patricia) Smithfield, Utah.  They were later divorced.

In 1967, Vernae married Grant P. Lester and added a daughter to the family, Tina Marie Lester Ociepa (Oskar) Pocatello, Idaho.

Besides being a full time mother, she started working at a young age as a waitress, kicking off a 30 plus year career in food service.  She and Grant later purchased and ran the Caribou Auto Parts store in Soda Springs.

Shorty enjoyed living a full and active life, including riding Harley's behind Grant, bowling, golf, darts, cooking for her family and friends and any kind of crafting. The last 22 years she loved spending the winters in Yuma, Arizona, where they made many great new friends and enjoyed many new adventures.

Vernae was preceded in death by all of her siblings except one stepbrother, Marvin J. Smith.   She is survived by her husband Grant, all of her children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Family and friends will meet Friday July15 ^th from 6:00 until 8:00pm and again Saturday, July 16 ^th , at 2:00pm at the Sims Funeral Home in Soda Springs.  A brief celebration of her life will follow at 3:00pm.