Obituary of Florence Fuller

Florence Carmel Fuller, age 97, of Flagler, Colorado passed away on April 5, 2010 at the Lincoln Community Nursing Home in Hugo, CO. Florence was born on August 6, 1912 in Nashville, Kansas to parents William David and Jennie Irene (Louthan) Peters. Florence was delivered by an area neighbor, serving as a midwife. The family, including Florence and her older sister Fae, made their home in Nashville where the family farmed and ranched. In November of 1914, the family moved to Campo, Colorado by Conestoga Wagons drawn by horses. They made their home in a half-dugout with a dirt floor and jip plastered walls. Florence’s younger two sisters, Sadie and Mable, were born in their home at Campo. At the age of 5, Florence and older sister Fae attended Blue Mound School District 43, which her father helped build. The two girls walked 2 ½ miles to school each day and their father served on the school’s first school board. When Florence was in 4th grade, a new school was built, Blue Mound District 61, just a mile from her home. On May 23, 1925, Florence graduated from the 8th grade at Blue Mound and went on to attend Campo High School for the following 3 ½ years. The last half of her senior year was spent at Springfield High School, where she and her sister graduated on May 24, 1929. Growing up, Florence also attended the Baptist Church in Campo where she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She and her sister Fae were baptized by Reverend Baker in 1927. During her childhood, Florence’s family raised corn, maize and broomcorn. Campo, Colorado, in Baca County, was known as the “Broomcorn Center of the World”. Florence and her sister Fae traded work with their neighbors, cutting broomcorn in the field’s right alongside the men. In the summer of 1929, Florence and her sister Fae went to Greeley to attend summer school. Florence received a Second Grade Teacher’s Certificate on January 13, 1931. Later that same year, she accepted her first teaching position at Bear School, District 60, and continued teaching in one room schools near Campo for 11 years following. While attending a teacher’s convention in Pueblo, CO, Florence married Eddie Fuller on November 8, 1934. Eddie was also from the Campo area and the two families had known each other for many years. Following their wedding, Florence continued teaching and Eddie managed the Save-U-Market they owned. The family grew to include children; Bonnie, Pattie, Estel, William and Sally. They made their home near Vilas and raised broomcorn for several years before moving to a farm east of Flagler in 1948, and Sally was born in the Flagler Hospital. The couple had another son, Dallas, but unfortunately he was stillborn. Throughout the years, the family was involved in 4-H, as well as all of the activities and chores surrounding the farm. Florence worked hand in hand with Eddie for many years. The family belonged to the Flagler Baptist Church where they attended regularly. Florence loved the Lord and all of the ladies activities at the church, such as quilting, ABW and attending Eastern Association Meetings with her friends. Eddie and Florence celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in November 1984. Eddie went home to be with the Lord on April 2, 1988. Florence lived on their farm east of Flagler until entering the Lincoln Community Nursing home in August of 2005. Florence will be remembered for her caramel pie, a recipe passed down from her mother. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, gardening, canning and preserving, and quilting. She was also a 4-H leader, a member of the Kit Carson County Republican Women’s Organization, Flagler Women’s Club, a Charter Member of the Gingham Girls Home Demonstration Club, Kit Carson County Farm Bureau Member, Kit Carson County Cattlewomen’s Association, and she sat on the Election Board for many years. Florence is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, an infant son, one sister and several sister and brother in laws. Florence is survived by her two sons, Estel (Sherry) Fuller of Fort Collins, CO and William (Janice) Fuller of Larkspur, CO, and three daughters, Bonnie Bryant of Greeley, CO, Pattie (Dan) Jackson of Gardnerville, NV and Sally (Mike) Santala of Flagler, CO. She is also survived by her sisters Sadie Lowder of Loveland, CO and Mable (Bob) Eden of Colorado City, CO, as well as 13 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.