Frances Wight…November 23, 1929 – March 31, 2015

Funeral services for longtime Las Animas, Colorado resident, Frances Wight, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April, 8, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church in Las Animas, Colorado.  Interment will follow at Fort Lyon National Cemetery.  Per Frances’ request there will be no visitation.

Frances Ada (Myers) Wight was born on November 23, 1929 in Las Animas, Colorado to Lewis LaVelle and Minnie (Cotter) Myers. She passed away on March 31, 2015 in La Junta, Colorado at the age of 85.

The early years of Frances’ life were spent living in a dugout. She and her father LaVelle, moved into town when she was in the sixth grade and the rest of the family later joined them. After she graduated from Las Animas High School, Frances moved to Denver in order to pursue her BS in Nursing.

Through her best friend, Helen Ramsey, Frances was introduced to Willard Wight. Willard and Frances dated for several years, spending every minute together that they possibly could, and following her graduation from Nursing School, they were married on March 15, 1952. They remained in Denver until Willard graduated Medical School and then settled in Las Animas just after the birth of their first daughter Roxane Louise. In 1959, Frances and Willard were blessed with the birth of their second daughter, Rebecca Rae.

Frances worked nights at the nursing home, until Dr. Wight found himself in need of a nurse at his office. Frances then put her great leadership and management skills to work, and the two of them ran a very successful medical establishment until they both retired when Willard turned 65 years old.

Throughout the years, Frances had also used her skills to help and lead others, volunteering as both a Girl Scout and 4-H leader, and was an active member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the Nursing Association (NA), and the Medical Auxiliary (MA), as well as an active member of the First Christian Church and later the First Presbyterian Church.

After retirement, Frances’ giving didn’t stop. She spent numerous hours volunteering at the Bent County Community Center and Bonfils Blood Center.

The accomplishment that brought Frances the most satisfaction was one she shared with her sister, LaVerne Freed. The two of them worked together to get the school bond passed enabling the much needed construction of the new Las Animas High School.

Frances enjoyed accompanying Willard on his many travels. She and Willard, an avid Civil War Historian, enjoyed visiting Civil War battle grounds, the annual Wight Family Reunions, and his extensive travels for his Army Air Corp Company Reunions.

Frances is survived by her husband, Willard R. Wight of Las Animas; two daughters, Roxane Wight of Carlsbad, New Mexico, and Rebecca and husband, Dennis O’Hearn of Morrison; her sister, Ethel Rose Reed of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 1 grandchild; 4 great grandchildren; many other relatives, and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, L.L. and Minnie Myers; her brother, Melvin Myers, and one sister, LaVerne Freed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bonfils Blood Center in care of Horber Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 431, Las Animas, CO 81054.

For more information or to leave online condolences please visit www.horberfuneralchapel.com.