Dorene R. Shaffer

Dorene Ruth Frazee Shaffer was born February 11, 1923 at their farm home near Hugoton, Kansas to Dorr and Fannie Johnson Frazee. Dorene went to be with the Lord on February 27, 2011 in La Junta, Colorado with family present. When Dorene was six years old the family moved to Belpre, KS. She attended four years of school there and then the family moved to a farm south of Walsh, Colorado. Dorene attended the rest of her school years at Walsh, graduating on May 12, 1950. The family had moved to a farm east of Walsh and just 3 hours before graduation, Dorene and Ira Shaffer were married at the home there. To this union six sons were born. All except Gary were born in or near Walsh, Gary was born at Brush, Colorado while the family lived in that area for about 4 years. Dorene accepted Christ as her personal Savior when she was in the 7th grade, at the Walsh Friends Church. From that time on her deepest desire was to serve Him and tell others about Him. She faithfully attended Church, being a Sunday School teacher and Bible School teacher for many years. She loved children, espcially, and taught ages from the youngest to the oldest. Her own boys were a part of the youth meetings, parties, etc., and were faithful to help "Mom" in it all. Her love of chldren was also evident as she helped to care for children for so many years. Her first experience was with her nieces and nephews starting with Wilburta Shaffer when she was County Health nurse. She took care of the kids from the first kindergarten group at Walsh in 1961 and also later. Several years later she was the kindergraten teacher's aide for 3 years. She was a substitute teacher after that for a few years. Then she began keeping children in her home. She enjoyed just being there for whomever needed her. Dorene enjoyed being busy, otherwise, too. She helped on the farm with different things from helping to pickup broomcorn; rididng a horse to help move cattle, or driving tractors or trucks. She clerked in several differtnt stores and worked in the cafe one year. Dorene wrote the Walsh News for the Plainsman Herald for several years. She also did a lot of sewing, including making matching western shirts for Ira and the boys. She also made matching dresses for several of the nieces and dresses for several of the pastor's wives and several older ladies who were special friends. One lady "gave back" by making cinnamon rolls for the dresses, which was a delight for the whole family. A highlight of Dorene's life was when she and Ira and Nick made a trip to Burundi, Africa to visit the mission field while Bob and Connie were there. Her interest in missions countinued at home as she packed many boxes for the missions. Many folks helped with that as they brought things by to be packed. Dorene was preceded in death by her infant son, David Gene; her parents, Dorr and Fannie Frazee; father-in-law, Melzer Shaffer; mother-in-law Ruth Shaffer Shockley; brothers Milton and Johnson Frazee; sisters-in-law, Alene Frazee, Wilburta Shaffer, Mary Ann Silcox, Laila Shaffer and brithers-in-law, Vincent Gales, Edsel (Butter) Shaffer, and Johnny Shaffer. Dorene leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Ira, sons and daughters-in-law Bob and Connie (Artesia, NM); Elvin and Lana (Walsh, CO); Gary and Gail (Conway Springs, KS); Jerry and Vickie (Nazareth, TX); and Nick and Charla (Oklahoma City, OK). Also her very special grandchildren Adena and J. C. McCowan, Eric and Kirstin Shaffer, Ryan and Sara Shaffer, Kyle and Catie Shaffer, Dalton and Emily Shaffer, Nathan Shaffer and Hope Shaffer and her great grandchildren Lille-Mae and Sadie McCowan and Ashlyn Shaffer. Her sisters; Florence Gales, Twila and Jack Jackson, Wilma and Al Lillibridge and LaReta and Frank Miller, Her borthers; Keith and Susie Frazee and Don and Terry Frazee. Sisters-in-law Ruthie and Jack Turner and Marie Frazee and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A family celebration was held at the Walsh Friends Church at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2011. A celebration of Dorene's life was held at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Walsh, CO. Pastor Nick Shaffer and Robert Shaffer officated. Arrangements were entrustesd to Rich Funeral Home of Sprngfield, CO. Memorials may be sent to your choice of Walsh EMT's or Destino Del Reino (www. destinodelreino.org) or Destino Del Reino, P.O. Box 814, Evans, GA 30809. Baby Setting By Dorene Shaffer I have had the privilege of having grandchildren near, Of keeping them in my home, I loved having them here. And as my own grandchildren grew up and weren't here as much, I tried to "fill in" with neighbors children and such!! Sometimes it was so busy I didn't know what do, First to whipe a nose or hurry and tie a shoe. Or change a diaper or referee a fight, But it would all settle down with a hug, so tight. And it kept me real busy as the food I'd prepare, But it didn't take long till all were settled in a chair. No one can explain the blessing and the joy, As prayers were said by each girl and boy. Only God, in heaven knows what a special place, He had for me as I'd wash a face; And see their smiles or even maybe a tear! Because only little children beng God so near. So, I'm real thankful for the years I had, Keeping the little "treasures" of each Mom and Dad. I wouldn't take any job, or service, or time, For hearing "I love you Grnadma" for I claimemd them as mine!! As that privilege has been taken away, I can't even imagine how to fill up a day!