Frances Eugenie May Dorr Wheeler
1918-2013
Frances Eugenie was born July 31, 1918 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She was the oldest of 5 children born to Fredrick N “Bumpy” and Anna (Bowie) May. Her younger siblings included 2 sisters: Dorothy and Helen and 2 brothers: William “Bill”, and John “Jack” May. The family homestead was the home of the Mystic post office from about 1917 until 1928
In May 1928 the family moved to the ranch on the Elk River, formally known as the May S bar S Ranch. Bumpy purchased the ranch, site unseen, from an auction in town and moved the family to the ranch while Anna was in the hospital from giving birth to Bill. The ranch house had been lived in by bachelors and was “filthy” beyond belief.
Frances was a champion seamstress who competed at the state level in the fledgling 4-H. She graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 1935
Frances married Elmer J. Dorr on June 14, 1936 at the May Ranch. He was the son of Elmer and Hattie (Laramore) Dorr. To this union, 9 children were born: Genie, Jim, Ted, Newt, Peggy Jo, Bob, Mike, Fred and Hattie. Frances and Elmer lived at Cow Camp, on Southside and at the Jacob’s place before settling on the family ranch which was purchased from Mr. Kenny. The Bar Lazy L brand was given to Elmer by his dad when Elmer bought the cows and Grandpa Dorr knew the brand would be carried on.
Frances and Elmer ranched and were active in the Routt County Cattlemen & Cowbells (Cattlewomen) and enjoyed watching their sons wrestle under Coach Ramunno. Frances was also a member of Chapter X PEO in Steamboat, Chapter AQ PEO in Fruita, a member of 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 “jingles” about anything and everything including a personalized poem for many of her descendants. She put some of her poems to music and sang them at church.
In 1970, Elmer passed away and Frances married George Wheeler later that year. Frances considered George’s two children, Jack and Viola, to be her own. George and Frances lived together with Hattie’s family on the ranch until George’s death in 1983.
In the fall of 1992, Frances moved to Fruita, Colorado to help raise her granddaughter, Shirley’s family and this is where she remained until her death on July 20, 2013. She ventured back to Routt County 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 gatherings for several years.
Frances was proceeded in death by her parents, husbands Elmer and George, sister, Dorothy 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).
Frances is survived by her sisters Helen Stonebrink of Fruita, Cynthia May of Fruita, Alma May of California, Eunice Dorr of Denver and Opal Wood. Daughters Genie Brandhorst of Fruita, Peggy Jo (Bill) Carpenter of Idalia, Hattie (Gary) Yeager of Steamboat and Viola Fry of Georgia. Sons Bob Dorr of Arizona, Fred (Penny) Dorr of Steamboat. Daughter-in-laws, Peg (Jim) Dorr, Shelly (Newt) Dorr, Rachel (Mike) Dorr and Donna Jean (Jack) Wheeler, 28 Grandchildren, 49 Great-Grandchildren and 4 Great-Great Grandchildren and 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.
1918-2013
Frances Eugenie was born July 31, 1918 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She was the oldest of 5 children born to Fredrick N “Bumpy” and Anna (Bowie) May. Her younger siblings included 2 sisters: Dorothy and Helen and 2 brothers: William “Bill”, and John “Jack” May. The family homestead was the home of the Mystic post office from about 1917 until 1928
In May 1928 the family moved to the ranch on the Elk River, formally known as the May S bar S Ranch. Bumpy purchased the ranch, site unseen, from an auction in town and moved the family to the ranch while Anna was in the hospital from giving birth to Bill. The ranch house had been lived in by bachelors and was “filthy” beyond belief.
Frances was a champion seamstress who competed at the state level in the fledgling 4-H. She graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 1935
Frances married Elmer J. Dorr on June 14, 1936 at the May Ranch. He was the son of Elmer and Hattie (Laramore) Dorr. To this union, 9 children were born: Genie, Jim, Ted, Newt, Peggy Jo, Bob, Mike, Fred and Hattie. Frances and Elmer lived at Cow Camp, on Southside and at the Jacob’s place before settling on the family ranch which was purchased from Mr. Kenny. The Bar Lazy L brand was given to Elmer by his dad when Elmer bought the cows and Grandpa Dorr knew the brand would be carried on.
Frances and Elmer ranched and were active in the Routt County Cattlemen & Cowbells (Cattlewomen) and enjoyed watching their sons wrestle under Coach Ramunno. Frances was also a member of Chapter X PEO in Steamboat, Chapter AQ PEO in Fruita, a member of 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 “jingles” about anything and everything including a personalized poem for many of her descendants. She put some of her poems to music and sang them at church.
In 1970, Elmer passed away and Frances married George Wheeler later that year. Frances considered George’s two children, Jack and Viola, to be her own. George and Frances lived together with Hattie’s family on the ranch until George’s death in 1983.
In the fall of 1992, Frances moved to Fruita, Colorado to help raise her granddaughter, Shirley’s family and this is where she remained until her death on July 20, 2013. She ventured back to Routt County 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 gatherings for several years.
Frances was proceeded in death by her parents, husbands Elmer and George, sister, Dorothy 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).
Frances is survived by her sisters Helen Stonebrink of Fruita, Cynthia May of Fruita, Alma May of California, Eunice Dorr of Denver and Opal Wood. Daughters Genie Brandhorst of Fruita, Peggy Jo (Bill) Carpenter of Idalia, Hattie (Gary) Yeager of Steamboat and Viola Fry of Georgia. Sons Bob Dorr of Arizona, Fred (Penny) Dorr of Steamboat. Daughter-in-laws, Peg (Jim) Dorr, Shelly (Newt) Dorr, Rachel (Mike) Dorr and Donna Jean (Jack) Wheeler, 28 Grandchildren, 49 Great-Grandchildren and 4 Great-Great Grandchildren and 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.
Frances Eugenie May Dorr Wheeler
1918-2013
Frances Eugenie was born July 31, 1918 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She was the oldest of 5 children born to Fredrick N “Bumpy” and Anna (Bowie) May. Her younger siblings included 2 sisters: Dorothy and Helen and 2 brothers: William “Bill”, and John “Jack” May. The family homestead was the home of the Mystic post office from about 1917 until 1928
In May 1928 the family moved to the ranch on the Elk River, formally known as the May S bar S Ranch. Bumpy purchased the ranch, site unseen, from an auction in town and moved the family to the ranch while Anna was in the hospital from giving birth to Bill. The ranch house had been lived in by bachelors and was “filthy” beyond belief.
Frances was a champion seamstress who competed at the state level in the fledgling 4-H. She graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 1935
Frances married Elmer J. Dorr on June 14, 1936 at the May Ranch. He was the son of Elmer and Hattie (Laramore) Dorr. To this union, 9 children were born: Genie, Jim, Ted, Newt, Peggy Jo, Bob, Mike, Fred and Hattie. Frances and Elmer lived at Cow Camp, on Southside and at the Jacob’s place before settling on the family ranch which was purchased from Mr. Kenny. The Bar Lazy L brand was given to Elmer by his dad when Elmer bought the cows and Grandpa Dorr knew the brand would be carried on.
Frances and Elmer ranched and were active in the Routt County Cattlemen & Cowbells (Cattlewomen) and enjoyed watching their sons wrestle under Coach Ramunno. Frances was also a member of Chapter X PEO in Steamboat, Chapter AQ PEO in Fruita, a member of 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 “jingles” about anything and everything including a personalized poem for many of her descendants. She put some of her poems to music and sang them at church.
In 1970, Elmer passed away and Frances married George Wheeler later that year. Frances considered George’s two children, Jack and Viola, to be her own. George and Frances lived together with Hattie’s family on the ranch until George’s death in 1983.
In the fall of 1992, Frances moved to Fruita, Colorado to help raise her granddaughter, Shirley’s family and this is where she remained until her death on July 20, 2013. She ventured back to Routt County 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 gatherings for several years.
Frances was proceeded in death by her parents, husbands Elmer and George, sister, Dorothy 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).
Frances is survived by her sisters Helen Stonebrink of Fruita, Cynthia May of Fruita, Alma May of California, Eunice Dorr of Denver and Opal Wood. Daughters Genie Brandhorst of Fruita, Peggy Jo (Bill) Carpenter of Idalia, Hattie (Gary) Yeager of Steamboat and Viola Fry of Georgia. Sons Bob Dorr of Arizona, Fred (Penny) Dorr of Steamboat. Daughter-in-laws, Peg (Jim) Dorr, Shelly (Newt) Dorr, Rachel (Mike) Dorr and Donna Jean (Jack) Wheeler, 28 Grandchildren, 49 Great-Grandchildren and 4 Great-Great Grandchildren and 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.
1918-2013
Frances Eugenie was born July 31, 1918 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She was the oldest of 5 children born to Fredrick N “Bumpy” and Anna (Bowie) May. Her younger siblings included 2 sisters: Dorothy and Helen and 2 brothers: William “Bill”, and John “Jack” May. The family homestead was the home of the Mystic post office from about 1917 until 1928
In May 1928 the family moved to the ranch on the Elk River, formally known as the May S bar S Ranch. Bumpy purchased the ranch, site unseen, from an auction in town and moved the family to the ranch while Anna was in the hospital from giving birth to Bill. The ranch house had been lived in by bachelors and was “filthy” beyond belief.
Frances was a champion seamstress who competed at the state level in the fledgling 4-H. She graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 1935
Frances married Elmer J. Dorr on June 14, 1936 at the May Ranch. He was the son of Elmer and Hattie (Laramore) Dorr. To this union, 9 children were born: Genie, Jim, Ted, Newt, Peggy Jo, Bob, Mike, Fred and Hattie. Frances and Elmer lived at Cow Camp, on Southside and at the Jacob’s place before settling on the family ranch which was purchased from Mr. Kenny. The Bar Lazy L brand was given to Elmer by his dad when Elmer bought the cows and Grandpa Dorr knew the brand would be carried on.
Frances and Elmer ranched and were active in the Routt County Cattlemen & Cowbells (Cattlewomen) and enjoyed watching their sons wrestle under Coach Ramunno. Frances was also a member of Chapter X PEO in Steamboat, Chapter AQ PEO in Fruita, a member of 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 “jingles” about anything and everything including a personalized poem for many of her descendants. She put some of her poems to music and sang them at church.
In 1970, Elmer passed away and Frances married George Wheeler later that year. Frances considered George’s two children, Jack and Viola, to be her own. George and Frances lived together with Hattie’s family on the ranch until George’s death in 1983.
In the fall of 1992, Frances moved to Fruita, Colorado to help raise her granddaughter, Shirley’s family and this is where she remained until her death on July 20, 2013. She ventured back to Routt County 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 gatherings for several years.
Frances was proceeded in death by her parents, husbands Elmer and George, sister, Dorothy 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).
Frances is survived by her sisters Helen Stonebrink of Fruita, Cynthia May of Fruita, Alma May of California, Eunice Dorr of Denver and Opal Wood. Daughters Genie Brandhorst of Fruita, Peggy Jo (Bill) Carpenter of Idalia, Hattie (Gary) Yeager of Steamboat and Viola Fry of Georgia. Sons Bob Dorr of Arizona, Fred (Penny) Dorr of Steamboat. Daughter-in-laws, Peg (Jim) Dorr, Shelly (Newt) Dorr, Rachel (Mike) Dorr and Donna Jean (Jack) Wheeler, 28 Grandchildren, 49 Great-Grandchildren and 4 Great-Great Grandchildren and 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.
Gravesite Details
Will eventually be buried in Steamboat Springs Cemetery next to her husband Elmer James Dorr, but is not currently there (Jan 2021)
Family Members
Siblings
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