Frances Shafer

Frances was born in Shelton, Nebraska on August 18, 1927 to Victor A. Mortensen and Ada F. Mann Mortensen.She was the fourth of 9 children, her siblings, beginning from first to last, were Lois, Eddie, George, Betty, Mary, Ann, Polly and Johnny.Her mother became ill when Frances was in 8th grade, so she stayed home to help her father and family during her mother’s illness.When her mother died, she never returned to school but continued to care for her family.


She married Carl E. Shafer on March 7, 1950 in North Platte, Nebraska at North Platte Foursquare Church.Carl built her a house in Shelton, NE, where they had and began raising four children, Kay, Jan, Carl Jr., and Scott.


Carl, Sr. was working for Peter Kiewit, so in the early 1960's, the family moved to Colorado, living in Hudson as he helped in the construction of the highway system.He then took a job with Martin Marietta and moved the family to Englewood.They lived in several rental homes, before purchasing the home at 4580 S. Pennsylvania in 1970. 


In 1972, Carl passed away and Frances, better known as Frankie, began a new chapter in her life.Not having to drive much, driving became necessary.She took a job with Moore Hansen in Englewood, making bingo cards.She worked for them and continued to work when the company sold to Bingo King Game Enterprises and moved from Englewood to Parker.She retired at the age of 71 after 20 years.


Frances loved her green yard and red house that she lived in for over 50 years.She enjoyed collecting frogs and displayed hundreds of them throughout her home.She was an awesome cook and made delicious lemon meringue pie and peach cobbler, divinity candy at Christmas and the best fried chicken in the world.


Frances loved doing things with her children.They were her life.She influenced other children’s lives too as she was a Sunday School teacher and Den Mother for Cub Scouts.When grandchildren came on the scene, she loved over nighters, spoiling them with donuts for breakfast.  


The family was truly blessed by her love.She passed from this life on August 26, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Carl Sr.; her sisters Lois, Betty and Polly ; her brothers Eddie, George and Johnny; and son-in-law, John.She leaves her sisters Ann and Mary; her children, Kay (and Rick) Weekley, Jan Harris, Carl, Jr. (and Lynn) Shafer and Scott (and Deb) Shafer; her grandchildren, Jenny (and Neal) Wondel, Jeremiah (and Christina) Shafer, Joseph (and Meaghan) Shafer and Tanya (and Dylan) Thomas; her great grandchildren, Calvin, Isaac and Maya Wondel and Juniper Shafer.