Obituary of Twila Gorton

Twila Arleene Gorton was born to Coleman Elmer and Mattie Belle Murphy on December 28, 1923 on the Homestead south of Seibert, Colorado. She passed away on March 4, 2015 at the home of Randy & Charlene Gorton south of Vona, Colorado. Twila was the eighth child of ten children. She grew up on the farm riding horses, herding cattle, milking cows and any other thing that was required on the farm. She attended the first eight years of school in the Rock Cliff one room school house located north of the Homestead. She then completed her High School education and graduated in 1941 from Seibert. She was one of the two children of the family to graduate High School. Twila enjoyed going to country dances while in high school with her brothers’ and their dates. She began working for Elfie Gorton in town doing housework the last two years of high school. (Elfie was later to become her mother-in-law.) Twila also worked at the grocery store for $4.00 a week and her room and board. At the time, Ralph Gorton was working in Denver, but later came back to Seibert to manage the grocery store for his mother. Twila and Ralph started dating and were married on December 19, 1943. They began their married life living in quarters at the back of the grocery store. To this union five children were born: Dee Ann in 1944, Ralph Francis Jr. in 1946, Jeanette Kay in 1948, Randy Bob in 1956, and Shari Lynn in 1959. In 1945, Ralph & Twila purchased a three room house and moved there on April 6, 1945. They remodeled and added on to this house where Twila resided until she become ill on February 28, 2015. Elfie Gorton sold the grocery store in 1945, and Ralph went to work for his Dad in the hardware store. Ralph and Twila purchased the hardware store from his parents, and continued to operate Gorton Hardware until they closed it in 1970. During the late years of the 1940’s and early 1950’s, Twila played on the women’s town team basketball. What fun she had doing that, and often remarked “how I wish I could still get into my suit” when she talked about that period of time. Twila and Ralph also belonged to a square dance club and a married couples skating group. During the growing up years of her children, Twila was always happy to open up their home to other young folks. They were fortunate to have wonderful neighbors, and no one ever complained about late night ball shooting or noise in their backyard. Twila was active in her community, belonging to several clubs and organizations through the years. Twila joined the Seibert branch of VFW Ladies Auxiliary and was an active officer until it was dissolved, and she became a member of the Goodland branch. She was recently recognized (December 2014) with a 65-year member pin – a distinction she was very proud of. Twila joined the E.U.B. church after her marriage to Ralph, and was an active member for many years even after it became the United Methodist Church. She played many roles in the church. Twila and two other members of the community formed the Seibert Alumni Association many years ago, and she was an active office and corresponding secretary until 2011. Twila, along with a few other community members, were instrumental in the formation of the Community Ambulance Service of Seibert & Flagler in 1968. She began as dispatcher at the time, and continued in that capacity until her death. Twila received the Plains to Peaks Regional Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2006, and the “Francis Mildred Roth, Women in EMS Award” in 2007 for her dedication and commitment to the community ambulance service. Twila has been the secretary for the Seibert Cemetery Board for many years and was very proud of the improvements that have been accomplished in the last few years at the cemetery. She really enjoyed working with Dick McAuley and Meredyth Herman, the other two board members. Twila was known as a historian for the area and was approached countless times by people for information on schools, where people had lived in the community and who was still living in the area. She opened her door to numerous individuals at all times when they were in need of help. Twila was a caregiver as well. Her father and Ralph’s mother both lived with them for periods of time. She was always willing to help the people in the community with taking blood pressures, getting them to doctor appointments, and just giving them a ride to surrounding towns. Twila was blessed with the ability to create beautiful handiwork. This included beautiful hand-pieced and hand-quilted quilts; crocheted afghans, dollies, table scarves; along with other crafty items that were given to her children, grandchildren, and friends. Twila was also willing to lend a helping hand to those seeking her ‘expertise’ in their quilting endeavors. Twila’s greatest joy was her family. She treasured the times her grandchildren were able to spend the summers in Seibert, and the opportunities she had to watch them all participate in numerous activities and sports. The times the families were all together were some of her happiest moments. These moments were cherished by her, and will continue to be held forever in her family’s hearts. Twila was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph; her father and mother, Coleman & Mattie Murphy; her father and mother-in-law, Fosha Sr. & Elfie Gorton; her siblings, Florence, Lionel, Lena, Loyd, Grace, Loren, Troy, Dale, and Arvetta; brother-in-law, Fosha Gorton, Jr; son-in-law, Donald (Mac) McInaney; great-grandson, Cole Allen Gorton. She is survived by her five children: Dee Ann (Don) Felker, Ralph Francis, Jr. (Donna); Jeanette Kay McInaney; Randy Bob (Charlene); Shari Lynn (Curt) Graham. Ten Grandchildren: Lee Ann Crawley; Lori Ann (Greg) Blodgett; Randy Michael (Amy) Gorton; Yolanda Kay Gilson; Shauna Lynn Kemp; Jason Anthony (Kari) Kemp; Rodney Francis (Julie) Gorton; Bryan Dean (Molly) Gorton; Brad Curtis (Jena) Graham; Jeffrey Josh (Kelly) Graham. Seventeen Great-Grandchildren: Derek and Cami Wicks, Amber and Amanda Blodgett, Kayla (Josh) Holden, Tyler Gilson, Shiann and Katie Christeson, Bailee, Kaila and Ava Kemp, Madelynn, Cooper and Jordann Gorton, Maggie and Jack Gorton, Piper Graham. Two Great-Great Grandchildren: Elliana and Reece Holden. Two sisters-in-laws: Marjorie Gorton and Myrtle Murphy. As well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends. Twila’s life encompassed so much more in her 91 years and 2 months than we can ever relay on paper and in words.