Kristen Istre Orndoff

Kristen Istre Orndoff, 46, of Lake Charles passed away at 1:05 PM on Thursday, October 12, 2023 in a Houston hospital.

Mrs. Orndoff was born on August 10, 1977 in Lake Charles where she resided all of her life and was a 1995 graduate of St. Louis High School. She furthered her education at McNeese State University receiving her bachelor’s and master’s degree in education as well as obtaining her Plus 30 and becoming National Board Certified. Mrs. Orndoff began her career as a teacher and worked at Thomas S. Cooley Elementary School for 25 years. She was a member of Krewe Des Amis and served on the board. She was a member of the Phi Zeta of Chi Omega chapter at McNeese, the McNeese Homecoming Queen in 1998, and a member of the Junior League of Lake Charles. Mrs. Orndoff was a woman of strong faith and was a devoted parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Heaven and a sister of ACTS.

She was very active in her kids’ extracurricular activities and also enjoyed reading and coloring.

Those left to cherish her memory are her loving and devoted husband, James “Jimbo” Orndoff of Lake Charles; son, Karter James Orndoff and daughter, Kamryn Rebecca Orndoff both of Lake Charles; and sisters, Kourtney I. Nunez (Kendall) of Lake Charles and Kara I. LaRoche (Benoit) and their daughters, Lilianne and Lucie of Edmonton, Canada.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rebecca and Kenneth Istre; and grandparents, Irene and Charles Istre and Velma Jean and Armand “Bill” Primeaux.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 19, 2023 in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Father Trey Ange and Father Whitney Miller will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin on Wednesday from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a rosary being recited at 6:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Thursday from 9:00 AM until leaving for the church at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic School, 3908 Creole St., Lake Charles, LA 70605 or to St. Louis Catholic High School, 1620 Bank St., Lake Charles, LA 70601.