Frances Olene Bishop Hamlin

Frances Olene Bishop was born in “The Pines’ in West Bijou Creek Basin, south of Deer Trail, Colorado in a small ranch house nestled in the trees, on November 7, 1919, a cold and snowy day. She weighed only three pounds three ounces. Because she was so tiny, she was wrapped in a blanket, placed in a small cloth lined box, and spent the night in the warming oven of a wood burning cook stove, hoping to give her a chance at life. She was the eighth and last child born to Charles Arthur and Ogie Kathryn Bishop.

Frances was a fighter from the beginning and always remarked “I may be a small package but so is dynamite.” She was a cute strawberry blond, had blue eyes with a firm determination. She had seven sibling; William (Willie), Kathleen (Kate), Grace, Samuel (Buss), Charles (Pete), Lora and Myrle.

France’s childhood was like most children of the times, consisting of chores, school and adventures with her brothers and sisters. She was especially fond of her brother Pete. While growing up, her parents instilled in her a sense of adventure, work ethics and skills to succeed in her life ahead. When she was five or six, a move was made to the Mayer place near Deer Trail, Colorado. Her education began in the old red brick school at Deer Trail. Throughout the years, Frances never missed a day of school and received a certificate stating this to be true. But her story of how she and some of her class chums proceeded to sneak out of the school’s second story window and drive around in one of her friend’s car, proves she wasn’t afraid to have a good time. She always swore that they never got caught.

The Bishop’s made a move to Colorado Springs, Colorado about 1935 where Charles worked at the Pine Valley Dairy, located at the current location of the Air Force Academy. Kate, Pete, Buss and Ted Deter all worked at the Broadmore Hotel at the same time. Frances continued her education there, graduating from Colorado Springs High School in 1937. Here Frances met the love of her life, James Bradley Hamlin. He was a student at Colorado College during this time and in his own words, “I met a lot of dandy girls and I finally talked one into an engagement.”

The Colorado Springs section of the Denver Post announced the marriage of a former Deer Trail girl, “Ensign James B. Hamlin and Frances O. Bishop both of Colorado Springs were married in Raton, New Mexico, June 14, 1941. After going to the Naval Reserve Midshipman School in New York City, Ensign Hamlin was assigned to active duty at San Francisco, California, where they resided. Jim served in the Pacific Theater and was based out of Alaska. After a couple of times on leave, Fran gave birth to two children; Sharon Lee, March 27, 1942 and William Justin, August 14, 1943. After Jim’s tour of duty was done, he got a job in Denver with the United States Bureau of Reclamation. This was his occupation until he retired in 1976, working in many places. In 1952 Jim was offered a position in Alaska. He said, “Going back was always on my mind, it without any question started the best seven years of my life.” In 1959 he was transferred to Utah, 1961 they moved to New York, and then spent two years in Washington D.C. Then in 1973 they moved to Redding, California. This was Jim’s last job which he later retired from.

Jim and Frances (Frankie) did a lot of traveling. They went all over the globe visiting 30 countries. At one time she taught Ballroom dance class. She was asked once “Do you work?” She jokingly answered, “No, I am a kept woman.” In 1998, following Jim’s death of April 1985, Frances and son Bill bought a new home near daughter Sharon in Loveland, Colorado where she became quite fond of Sharon’s three pups. Frances, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, continued to live in her home as long as possible with the assisted care from her two children. Eventually she was moved to Hillcrest Manor, residing in the Memory Care department.

Frances passed away June 16, 2016 in Loveland, Colorado. She is survived by her children, Sharon Lundt and William (Bill) Hamlin both of Loveland; Jack and Sandy Lundt, Rich and Annie Lundt both of Loveland; Tim and Debi Lundt of Anchorage, Alaska; two great granddaughters, Morgan and McKenzie Lundt; and the pups, Abby, Cloe and Gracie; and many family members and dear friends.

A Memorial Service will be at 4:00pm on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at Faith Church, 2707 N. Wilson Ave. in Loveland.