FRANCES MAY DORR WHEELER
JULY 31, 1918 - JULY 20, 2013
Frances Eugene was born July 31, 1918 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She was the oldest of 5 children born to Fred N “Bumpy” and Anna (Bowie) May. The family homestead was the home of the Mystic post office from 1921 until 1928
In May 1928 the fami- ly moved to the ranch on the Elk River, formally known as the May SbarS Ranch. Fran- ces was a champion seamstress who competed at the State level in 4-H. She graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 1935.
Frances married Elmer Dorr on June 14, 1936. He was the son of Elmer and Hattie (Lar- amore) Dorr. To this union 9 children were born. They moved to the family ranch (Bar Lazy L) north of the May ranch on the Elk River in 1939. In the mid-sixties, Frances was declared legally blind with mac- ular degeneration, but the only way it slowed her down was that she had to stop driving.
Frances and Elmer ranched and were active in the Routt County Cattlemen & Cowbells (Cattlewomen) and enjoyed watching their sons wrestle under Coach Ramunno. Fran- ces was also a member of Chapter X PEO in Steamboat, Chapter AQ PEO in Fruita, and the First Baptist Church
of Steamboat and was known as “Granny” to most everyone who knew her! She was active in the Steamboat Springs Writer’s Group in the 1980’s and wrote poems,“ditties” and “jin- gles” about anything and every- thing including a poem for many of her descendants.
In 1970, Elmer passed away and Frances married George Wheeler. Frances considered George’s two children, Jack and Viola to be her own. Fran-
ces and George lived with Hat- tie’s family on the ranch until George’s death in 1983.
In 1993, Frances moved to Fruita to help raise her grand- daughter’s family and this is where she remained until her death on July 20, 2013. She ventured back to Routt Coun- ty at least once per year for the annual Elk River Rendezvous and any other family event that she had a ride to and felt up to attending! She also performed at the Cowboy Poetry gather- ings for several years.
Frances was proceeded in death by her parents, husbands Elmer and George, sister, Dor- othy and husband Jim Jarvis, brother’s Bill and Jack May and Clyde Stonebrink, sons, Jim, Ted, Newt, Mike and Jack, son-in-law Bob Brandhorst, and daughter-in-laws Carol (Ted) and Jerri (Bob), two step- grandchildren, one great-grand- daughter.
Frances is survived by her sisters Helen Stonebrink and Cynthia May of Fruita, Alma May of California, Eunice Dorr of Denver and Opal Wood of Missouri, and Hazel Wheeler of Steamboat.
Daughters Genie Brandhorst of Fruita, Peggy Jo (Bill) Car- penter of Idalia, Hattie (Gary) Yeager of Steamboat and Viola Fry of Georgia. Sons Bob Dorr of Arizona, Fred (Penny) Dorr of Steamboat. Daugh- ter-in-laws, Peg (Jim), Shelly (Newt), Rachel (Mike) Dorr, and Donna Jean (Jack) Wheel- er, 31 Grandchildren, 60 Great- Grandchildren and 4 Great- Great Grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Faith Baptist Church in Fruita on July 30th at 1:30 pm. Per her request, a Celebration of Her Life will be held at the annual Elk River Rendezvous, July 5, 2014 at the Bar Lazy L Ranch north of Steamboat.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Carl Ramunno Youth Wrestling Fund, PO Box 771987, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477