Lana Kay Kerbs Orme

Lana Kay Kerbs Orme left this world on her own terms – July 17, 2025.

She was born to John and Joyce Kerbs on March 27, 1961 in Burley, Idaho. She is the oldest of 6 children raised primarily in Draper, Utah around horses and cowboys.

She was quiet and shy by nature, but managed the courage to be a mat-maid (wrestling cheerleader), and went on to become Homecoming Queen. She had plenty a suitors.

Her parents unexpectedly passed away in a private plane accident when she was 19 years old. The youngest sibling was 7. So, their normal, simple life became anything but normal and much more complicated.

Lana served a mission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in Ecuador when she was 21. Though the living conditions were more difficult than she was used to, she fell in love with the land and its people. She has been back a few times and, because she considers that her happy place, had recently planned an extended stay to test the waters of life as an expatriate. But for health reasons she couldn’t make the trip.

She met Rob Orme at Brigham Young University in 1985, and they married the following year. After graduation, they moved to Arizona – first Gilbert, then Mesa. They were blessed with three children: Trevor, Weston and Bridget.

Lana was, by occupation, a school teacher – mostly elementary age, but would occasionally dare to enter the Jr high arena. She was a conscientious teacher, and always had an opinion on the politics of the education system. As her children came along, Lana would take a break from teaching, but always went back – eventually slowing down to substitute, and ultimately retire last year.

She was a great mom! Loving, comforting, teaching, supporting and encouraging her kids. And she rather enjoyed defending her cubs in ferocious mama-bear fashion from time to time. She was little-league mom, dance mom, band mom, and much to her kids chagrin – occasionally karaoke mom.

Lana grew up listening to country music, but in later years loved listening to Josh Groben, Celine Dione, Celtic Women, and Freddie Mercury to name a few from her eclectic playlist.

Lana’s taste in entertainment changed over the years – most recently she loved watching SNL skits, certain scenes from certain movies like Lord of the Rings, and of all things – Turkish Soap Operas.

Lana loved fashion. She always dreamed of being a purchasing agent in the fashion industry — traveling the world to find exotic treasures. She loved clothes, shoes, hats, scarves, jewelry, and anything else that helped her express herself. She said she didn’t like being the center of attention, but she actually did.

Lana loved massages, manicures, pedicures, and trying new hair styles.

Lana was very generous. She loved giving gifts and donating to anyone in need.

Most of all, Lana loved Jesus Christ and embodied His gospel by giving attention to those who were least attended to. She gravitated toward, and befriended those who felt different, out of place, or misunderstood. She had astounding empathy — able to tap into the feelings of those who were struggling and provide relief, comfort and encouragement. This was both her superpower and her kryptonite. She lifted the spirits of those with whom she spoke, but it was as if she absorbed their sorrows to the detriment of her own health. She felt this was somehow her calling, her purpose.

Lana was preceded to the other side of the veil by her parents, Jack and Joyce, and her sister, Leesa.

She is survived by her husband, Rob; her children – Trevor (Brianna), Weston (Ericka) and Bridget (Jay Jorgensen); grandchildren – Evelee, Lila, Hudson, Darcie, Sophia, Blair, Tanner, Jillian, Jack and Henry; and her dear siblings – Lynette (Willis Clyde), Alan, Eric (Tiffany), and Lori (Edwin Clements) – all of whom she is so very proud.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 02, 2025 at 10:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – 2228 E. Brown Road, Mesa, AZ 85213 . The service will be live streamed via Zoom. If unable to attend, please contact a family member for the link.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.