Obituary of Francis Warren

Longtime Burlington resident, Francis Duane Warren, 80, died September 23rd, 2009 at the Legacy in Burlington, Colorado. He was born January 2nd, 1929, south of Burlington in Kit Carson County, the third of five children to Thomas Francis Warren and Ivy Wave (Sivey) Warren. He attended the Smokey Hill School and the Pond Creek School south of Burlington. He also attended the Monte Vista schools when the family moved to the San Luis Valley. He completed his education in 1943. Francis returned to eastern Colorado in 1945 where he worked for various farmers including his uncle, Clell Sivey, and later on for Lois Bloomendahl. He eventually went to work for Wayne and Lyla Davis where he met the love of his life, Orma Darlene Turner. It was here that Francis would woo Darlene with his yodeling while milking the cows in the barn. Francis was inducted into the US Army on March 29th, 1951 and was honorably discharged on October 9th, 1956 while being in the Army Reserve. He served in Korea with the Corps of Engineers where he perfected his lifelong calling of operating a maintainer building roads. The day of his return from service, Francis returned to Burlington to locate his sweetheart, Darlene, at the Midway Theatre where he proposed marriage on the spot. Francis and Darlene eloped and were married on August 4th, 1952 in Denver, Colorado. They returned to Burlington where they made their home for the next 57 years. To this union were born, Peggy Donita (Thompson) Warren, Marquema Jolene Warren, and Michael Duane Warren. Francis spent his working life as a dedicated road and bridge employee operating a road grader maintaining the roads of Kit Carson County. He faithfully served the people of Kit Carson County for 40+ years from June 1st, 1953 to January 2nd, 1996. After retirement, Francis and Darlene spent many hours tearing down old, abandoned building for the lumber, so that he could build his very own two-story, dream garage. He accomplished this with many of his friends, neighbors, and relatives. Francis’ later hobby in life was to travel the highways and by-ways of eastern Colorado and western Kansas admiring the scenery and visiting as many diners and roadside cafes as possible. He loved getting out and meeting and talking about his kids and grandchildren to new and different people. Proceeding him in death are his mother, Ivy Wave (Sivey) Warren; father, Thomas Francis Warren; sister, Ruth Arlen (Giglio) Warren; and daughter, Peggy Donita (Thompson) Warren. Surviving family members include his wife of 57 years, Orma Darlene (Turner) Warren; son-in-law, Mort Thompson of Watonga, Oklahoma; daughter, Marquema and husband Rex Salling of Stratton, Colorado; son, Michael and wife Sharon (Weyerman) Warren of Burlington, Colorado; sister, Reba and husband Alvin Johnson of Burlington, Colorado; brother Arnold and wife Edna Warren of Kanorado, Kansas; and sister Judy Blades of Orlando, Florida. Grandchildren: Nicholas and wife Cassy Thompson, Andrew Thompson, Kelsey Thompson all of Syracuse, Kansas; Chris Salling of Strasburg, Colorado; Levi Salling of Stratton, Colorado; Bryant Warren and Kelli Warren of Burlington, Colorado. Great Grandchildren: Ryan, Brandon, Natalie Thompson, and Grady Steerman. Francis will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends. Memorials may be made in Francis name to the American Heart Association and may be left at the First National Bank in Burlington. Funeral services for Francis were held on Monday, September 28, 2009 at 10:00 AM at the Kanorado United Methodist Church with Pastor Leonard Cox officiating. Visitation was held on Sunday, September 27, 2009 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Love Funeral Home in Burlington. Burial followed at the Kanorado Cemetery in Kanorado, Kansas.