Lenore Charlene Lakari was born on August 21, 1934. She was born to Tovio Lakari and Louise White in Thermopolis, Wyoming, and raised in Casper. She was later adopted by Howard Roy Miller who raised her as his daughter. Lenore was raised with her siblings Georgia, Joan and Skipper. Lenore had two daughters, Susan and Stacey.
Along with her sisters, Lenore learned at a very young age about survival, enduring many hardships that would have put most people with less tenacity than Lenore in the ground.
Although Lenore lived through many struggles, it gave her a fighting spirit, an unwavering love and devotion to God and perseverance. She was a little spitfire and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind…but was also quick to compliment or show anyone love.
She had never been thrown a birthday party or given a birthday cake until in her late 80’s. It was such a fun day to celebrate with her and see everything through the eyes of a child. Her father Tovio Lakari gave her the first and only doll she ever had (Betty Boop) and called her Sunshine. That is where her love of Betty Boop came from and what sparked her collection.
She lived in Big Delta Alaska while married to her first husband, Ronald Wayne Beattie, at the age of 16, for 1.5 years. She was married to Herbert Eugene Clark for 18 years. She married Earl Edsen Blackmore after divorcing Herbert Clark and they were together for 15 years, where they owned and operated a ranch together. This is where her love for horses, cattle and the ranching way of life was born.
She was a woman of many talents and worked hard her whole life. At an early age while living in Casper, Wyoming, she worked for AT&T Telephone Company as an operator. She was a secretary to a nuclear scientist while working for the Atomic Energy Commission and Department of Defense in Nevada. She had top secret clearance and even visited Area 51. While working for the Atomic Energy Commission and Department of Defense, Lenore was on the seismograph crew that set up testing of nuclear bombs. After moving to Scottsbluff to take care of her daughter that was very ill and passed away, she worked for DHHS as a caregiver for 20 years, until retiring at the age of 80.
Lenore was proud and happy to have given up part of her life to raise her grandsons Ryan & Jessie Dean, and she adored her great grandchildren.
All those who came in contact with Lenore through the Meals-on-Wheels, Shopping for Seniors or Home Delivered Commodities programs fell in love with her. She was easy to laugh and smile and even easier to give everyone she loved a huge hug. Even in her later years, she wanted to care for those around her. Those who got to know and love Lenore were lucky indeed.
Lenore is survived by her daughter and grandchildren. She is also survived by the caring volunteers that she loved dearly through the Meals-on-Wheels program, by her caregivers through Helping Hands (especially Echo) and Tena from the Aging Office of Western Nebraska. Thank you to Steve Morgheim and Buddy Pester.
Some thoughts Lenore had for those she loved…
-Remember me with love because I loved all of you.
-I’ll be a bright star in Heaven.
-Look up and I’ll throw you a hug – come on, throw me one back.
-Love and hugs, Lenore
You will be missed more than you know, Lenore. So we’re throwing you a hug. Come on, throw us one back. Love you!