Sally Ocampo Gaurmer

Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Victory Life Church in Fruita.

Survivors include three sons, Lyle, Geno, and Don; one daughter, Lorraine Oliver; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and one great great-grandchild.

Memorial contributions to Victory Life Church, 2066 U.S. Highway 6 and 50, Fruita 81521.

Born Rosalina Ocampo, February 9, 1927 at Clark Air Field, Philippine Islands, Sally Ocampo Gaurmer went to be with her Lord January 2, 2017.

During World War Two she worked in a makeshift hospital in Manilla as a volunteer nurse. There she met Eugene Conrad Gaurmer, a wounded American soldier. Meeting on her eighteenth birthday, he gave her a Payday candy bar which remained a favorite treat throughout her life. Following the War, they married on January 29, 1946. Remaining in the Philippines until after the birth of their first son in 1947, they returned to Eugene’s hometown of Grand Junction, Colorado. They remained in Grand Junction where they raised their four children. Eugene passed in 1997.

The great courage which she possessed is exemplified by her leaving her mother, family and the Philippines at a young age and immigrating to the United States. Becoming a naturalized citizen demonstrated her love for America and her love for its freedom. The belief in giving back to the community is reflected in her volunteer work with the Republican Party, 9 Health Fair, RSVP at the Math and Science Center, and the Mesa County Sheriff’s Department.

A trait which marked her life is her trust in God for her salvation. Quick to give praise to God for all that He blessed her with reflected her deep love for him. She was a member of the First Assembly of God Church, now Victory Life, throughout her life, where she raised her children and found lifelong friends.

Sally demonstrated a work ethic that is envied today. Earlier in her life, she worked sixteen hours a day at two jobs to provide for her children. Beginning her working career as a waitress, she worked such places as The Beanery, the Uranium Club, and The Caravan. She moved on to work for Dixon’s Inc. in the early electronics field, and then to Central High School where she worked in the library. This position allowed her to be around teenagers for which she held a great fondness. Often she would tell stories of them coming to talk to her. Finishing her working career, she became a realtor which seemed a natural progression for a woman who never knew a stranger, was always ready to visit with anyone, and one who seemed to know everyone.

Throughout her life she cared for her children and their families. Always the question after the greeting was, “Can I fix you something to eat?” She loved cooking for her family and friends and she was always ready to offer something to eat.

After Eugene’s death and till her own, she filled with pride telling how her family cared for her. In her last years, sons, sons-in-law, grandsons, and granddaughters would stop regularly to bring her firewood, to mow the lawn, and to check on her general welfare.

She leaves behind four children: Lyle Gaurmer, Lorraine Oliver with husband Mel, Gene Gaurmer with wife Terry, and Don Gaurmer. There are 11 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Such a woman did her adopted country proud.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Victory Life church at, 2066 Highway 6 and 50, Fruita, CO 81521.