Dolores Odessa Hamrick

Dolores Smith Hamrick was May 30, 1928 in to Carrie and Clarence, and died at her home in Harmony House in the Yuma on March 26, 2021.

After Clarence’s death at a construction site a month before Dolores’ birth, Carrie moved her four children to Yuma, where Dolores was born and raised. She attended the town’s pubic schools, and graduated from Yuma High School.

At the time of her death, Dolores held the title of the “longest continuous member” of the Yuma United Methodist Church.

Church was where she met the love of her life. Having just moved to Yuma from Burnside, IL, Francis Hamrick attended Sunday School his first weekend in town and participated in the class’ name draw for a Christmas gift exchange. The name Francis pulled out of the hat was Dolores, and a lifelong romance began.

Dolores and Francis married on June 5, 1949, and spent 64 years in loving support until Francis’ death in 2013.

In 1952, son Robert joined the family, and in 1954 daughter Barbara was born. Under the guidance of his mentor Bruce Doron, Francis worked as a carpenter and built many Yuma homes.

In 1955, the family moved to Ft. Morgan, CO where Francis set up his own successful construction business. Dolores sang in her new church’s choir, was a member of the Women’s Circle, participated in the women’s Extension Club, and was active in support groups at her children’s schools.

Dolores developed her artistic talent creating elaborately decorated cakes. She also played piano and organ, and encouraged her children’s interest in music.

Every summer, Dolores and family returned to Yuma to help Francis’ father with wheat harvest. When irrigation was added to the farm in the late 1960s, the family moved back to Yuma and Francis and Dolores returned to farming. Dolores also continued her mother’s passion, raising gardens of flowers.

Dolores is preceded in death by mother Carrie, father Clarence Smith, and husband Francis Hamrick. She is survived by son Bob and daughter-in-law Kris Wilshusen, daughter Barb and son-in-law Jerry Ringlein, grandsons Chris (Tasha,) Cory (Amber,) and Josh (Meagan) Ringlein, and granddaughters Marlo Hamrick (Shannon Knipp) and Tessa Ringlein, and eight great grandchildren.

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