Frances Grasz

Frances Grasz, aged 90, passed away on February 3, 2024, at the Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado. A lifelong resident of the area, Frances was born on the family farm in Lodgepole, Nebraska, to Arthur and Nellie Bruns. She was a graduate of Lodgepole High School.

Frances began her career at the local grocery store in Lodgepole, simultaneously working on the family farm alongside her parents and brothers.

On October 29, 1954, Frances married Clarence Grasz in Lodgepole. The couple was blessed with two daughters, Phyllis and Brenda. In 1961, the Grasz family moved to Ovid, Colorado, where Frances continued her career in retail, working at the Ovid Grocery Store for Leonard and Mary Jankovsky. After a devastating fire, she worked in Crook until returning to Ovid to run the newly reopened grocery store with Clarence. They eventually purchased the store in 1979, operating it until their retirement in 1988.

Frances was widowed in 2002 but remained active in her community. She volunteered at the Colorado Welcome Center in Julesburg and the Ovid Senior Center, where she also enjoyed participating in Community Bingo games. Her commitment to community service was a testament to her generosity and love for her neighbors.

She is remembered with deep affection by her daughters, Phyllis Meyer (Mitch) of Lakewood, Colorado, and Brenda Olsen of Ovid, Colorado; three grandchildren, Jessica (Tim), Benjamin Peck (Candice), and Dustin Meyer (Kelly); and three great-grandchildren, Robert Peck, Troy Peck, and Levy Meyer. Frances also leaves behind her brothers, Henry Bruns of Lodgepole, Nebraska, and Richard Bruns (Donna) of Sunol, Nebraska, along with one niece, seven nephews, and a vast extended family.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Jim and Jean Engelker and their family for their friendship and support and remembers fondly the companionship between Frances and Bill Engelker in their later years.

A memorial has been established in Frances' memory: The Frances E. Grasz Memorial at Points West Community Bank, 100 East 3rd Street, Julesburg, CO 80737. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsjulesburg.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Services will be on February 17, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the Ovid United Community Church. Burial will be in the Ovid Cemetery.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Julesburg is in charge of arrangements.