Dennis Lee Francen

Dennis was born September 20, 1947, in Greeley, CO. His parents were Elmer (John) and Esther (Carlson) Francen. He was the oldest of two boys and grew up on the family farm, Uffda Acres, near Galeton. He attended school in Galeton and Eaton and graduated from Eaton High School. He also attended Colorado State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

After college, Dennis was commissioned as an Army reserve officer in 1969. He served as a rotary wing (helicopter) pilot in Viet Nam. Following military service, he lived and worked in Wisconsin and Illinois before returning to Colorado. He lived and worked in Pueblo for 30 years, where he owned a property and casualty insurance claim business, McMillan Claim Service. After selling his business, he returned to Uffda Acres, where he farmed with his brother Brent, and later retired.

Dennis and Jim Shearer teased they found each other ‘the old fashioned way,’ on the internet! After a two year courtship, they ‘eloped’ in 2014, and got married in Rancho Mirage, CA. They shared their life together at Uffda Acres where Dennis enjoyed family and friends, his dogs, entertaining, music, yard work and travel. The couple enjoyed traveling domestically as well as to Europe, Scandinavia, Central America and South America.

Dennis is survived by his husband Jim (James) Shearer, brother Brent Francen, niece Lindsey Weisbrook (Tim), and great-nephew Kade Weisbrook. He is also survived by Jim’s daughter Jennifer Shearer (Cory Enger), son John Shearer (Kelley), and grandchildren Juliette Shearer, Lucille Shearer, Winter Enger and Ranger Enger. Additionally, Dennis is survived by many more family members and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Elmer and Esther (Carlson) Francen, and life partner Allen (Al) Zastrow.

A Private Inurnment will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 3400 W. 28th Street, Greeley, CO 80634. A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, August 26th, 12:00pm at Resthaven Memory Gardens, 8426 US-287, Fort Collins, CO 80525. A reception will directly follow the celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers and gifts to the family, donations are encouraged to: Parkinson Association of the Rockies, 1325 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80222 or Pathways Hospice, 4075 W. 11th Street, Greeley, CO 80634.