A famous writer once said "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give".

If that is true, then Florris made an AMAZING life. She was the most giving person many of us have ever known.


Born September 9th, 1939, in Leoti, KS to Roberta and Jesse Burns, she attended and graduated from Lamar High School, Lamar Community College and The University of Northern Colorado. Florris had a variety of careers throughout her lifetime, including administrative assistant, Deputy County Clerk, and closest to heart, teaching Art. On December 27, 1958, she married David Oswald in Lamar, who later died in an airplane accident in 1971. She spent her last 26 years with the love of her life Charles Crow.


She lived in many different places -- including Lamar, McClave, Westcliffe, Weldona and even a brief stop in Kake, AK-- before settling in Eads, CO.


There are so many good memories of times with her children: canning, baking, and feeding everyone anytime she got the chance, to her promotion of education and travels with her children. There were times when she loaded all 4 children up in a 4 door rambler and headed to Carlsbad Caverns or Mt. Rushmore. No easy feat with all those long legs, no A/C, and 4 kids wanting to see and do different things. As in life Florris handled these adventures with grace and laughter!


Then there are the memories of her beloved 26 years spent with Charles; restoring cars, especially her 1965 Ford Mustang convertible and attending car shows, which became a highlight for both her and Charles to visiting antique shows everywhere they went. Then there was spending summers at the lake, fishing and camping with their long time friends, Don and Sandy Barlow, Larry and Charlene Gifford and John and Delores Neal. I'm sure an especially exciting moment for Florris was when after 25 years of companionship, Charles finally got up the nerve to "pop the question" and make the marriage official! A true testament to Florris' patience!


Another memory that stood out in particular is the time when Florris' riding lawn mower broke down in town. Charles graciously came to her aid. Making a long story short, He gave her the ride of her life as they crossed the railroad tracts, with Florris on the mower. One of the few times, that Florris, surely wanted to give Charles a good cussing!!!! But as typical, Florris, she just laughed!


Florris loved water aerobics, which she attended twice per week. She was also very fond of visiting the Prairie Pines Assisted Living and the Weisbrod Memorial Nursing Home to enjoy coffee with all of her friends. Both she and Charles enjoyed their cat, of three years, which Florris bravely rescued from nearly being eaten by a dog.


Above all, Florris believed in family. Every single thing she did in her life illustrated just how strongly she felt about family being the most important thing there was. Throughout her life, Florris made sure to instill her children, grandchildren and great grand children with values that included; responsibility, integrity, good sportsmanship both on and off the field. It goes without saying that Florris was a remarkable person. She was a person of great compassion, kindness and grace. I'm sure we all could learn a thing or two from her example in this life.


In closing, I would like to share this poem with you:


Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep.


I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain.


When you wake in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft starlight at night.


Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep.


For those of you who knew Florris, you know that this poem is extremely fitting.


Florris thank you for being part of our lives. You will be dearly missed...


Survivors include her longtime companion and husband, Charles Crow, and her brother, Kenneth (Joan) Burns. Her children, Donald Oswald-Haswell, CO, Linda (Scott) Harper-Great Bend, KS, Deborah (Glen) Davis-Haswell, CO, Julie (Mark) Kelley-Arapahoe, CO, Kim (Tom) Richards- Eads, CO, Tammy Crow- Pueblo, CO, Charla Ferris (Dave) Wall, David (Janelle) Crow- Eads. CO. Florris had 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.


Florris A. Crow died unexpectedly on November 16, 2010 at Weisbrod Memorial Hospital in Eads. Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at the United Methodist Church in Eads with the Rev. Nancy Peacock officiating. Mrs. Charlotte Woelk and Mrs. Love Liebl provided the instrumental music with Sylvia Weeks and Mary Eikner singing The Old Rugged Cross and Amazing Grace. Casketbearers were David Kelley, Sam Webster, Justin Crow, Weston Crow, Brison Crow, Joshua Crow, Jace Richards, Shawn Beeson and Trevor Randel. Honorary casketbearers were Kenneth & Joan Burns, John & Delores Neal, Don & Sandy Barlow, Larry & Charlene Gifford. Final committal services were held at the Eads Cemetery prior to the family returning to the church for a meal and time of fellowship.


Memorial contributions can be made to the Prairie Pines Assisted Living.


Visitation and funeral services were entrusted to the care of the Brown Funeral Home in Eads. Friends and family can register online condolences and sign the guest book at www.brownfuneraldirectors.com.