Doris Irene Frank was born in Stanton, Nebraska, on January first 1925, to Louis and Lyda Wetzbarger. Her family moved from Nebraska to Colorado in 1931.
Doris was a good student and after graduating from Loveland High School she got a job at Woolworth Company in Loveland. When she was 18 she was set up on a blind date by her best friend and Harry Frank to meet his cousin Paul. This date was the beginning of a romance and love affair that lasted until her death. Paul Jay Frank married his sweetheart on January 9, 1944 in Loveland, CO. They would have been married 70 years January 9th, 2014.
Doris was a faithful and loyal companion and co-worker on the farm that they moved to in 1945. Doris and Paul had four children, David Paul, Charles Dennis, Susan Louise and Nancy Lynn. In the early years they started attending a Bible study at Sunnydale School and were part of a group of people who built Sunnydale Evangelical Free Church. Doris was involved in 4-H and helped in the local schools while her children were young. While attending Sunnydale and reading her Bible she was convicted of her sin through the Holy Spirit and she accepted the forgiveness given to her by God through His Son, Jesus Christ in His death on the Cross and His Resurrection. Her faith continued to grow and she shared her faith and knowledge with many local women through Friendship Bible Study.
She prayed for these women and all that she met; the condition of a persons' soul was always on her mind, down to the last doctor she spoke to as she left the Yuma Hospital for the last time. She turned to the young doctor who she had never met before, and said: "Do you know Jesus?" So you can be assured, each and every one of you that the condition of your soul was on her mind.
At one time, Doris and Paul conducted a Biblical Marriage Study and to the day that she died they were an example of a deep love and devotion for each other. At times one could glance and see them holding hands, a memory many will cherish.
Doris loved her children and grandchildren and each knew that every morning Mom and Dad or Grandma and Grandpa would be praying for each one. They saw many answers to their prayers.
Doris' quick wit and sense of humor brightened the most difficult of situations. Her home was always an open welcome place for many through the years and each one knew they had met a special gracious lady. She found it her ministry in the last year to give a devotional book "Jesus Calling" to special people as they visited her.
Doris entered her rest, peacefully at home with Paul and her children by her side on September 12, 2013.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Lyda (Beltz) Wetzbarger and four brothers: Ralph, Harold, Virgil and Gordon Wetzbarger and two sisters: Bessie Bath and Louise Orbach.
She is survived by her husband of 69 1/2 years, Paul Jay Frank; two sons and their families: David and Lynette, Paul and Ashley Frank; Charles and Karen Frank, Jennifer Frank and Adam and Brittany and Ava Frank. Two daughters and their families: Susan Wallen, Matthew and Lindsay Wallen, Canaan and Zoe Wallen; Anna and Kevin McMichael and Gracelyn McMichael; Jared and Kirsten Wallen; and Nancy Weeks, Rhett Weeks and Heath and Adrienne, Peyton and Coogan Weeks. She is also survived by brothers-in-law: Norman and Wanda Frank and Robert and Millie Frank. Sisters-in-law: Geordine Wetzbarger and Opal Wetzbarger and many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.
The family would like to thank Patty Jones with Hospice of the Plains for the special care, kindness and respect she showed Mom. Memorial donations can be made to Hospice of the Plains, P.O. Box 356; 1017 W. 7th St., Wray, CO 80758.
A memorial service was held Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cope Community Church.