Doris R. Vangraefschepe, 94, life resident of the New Raymer, Colorado, community, passed away Monday, June 19, 2017, at Valley View Villa in Fort Morgan, Colorado. Doris was born on the family ranch north of New Raymer on December 23, 1922, to Archie & Famie (Fiscus) Box.

Doris attended the New Raymer school for her first three years, moved out of district for five years while attending country school north of New Raymer, and then returned to New Raymer for her four years of high school graduating from New Raymer High School in 1940. Doris' first job was at Kalous, a homestead site located 15 miles north of New Raymer, which acted as a grocery store, cream station, a location to buy and sell eggs, the post office and a gas station in later years. Doris later worked for the Red and White Grocery in New Raymer. While working there, Doris and Ervin Vangraefschepe became engaged. Shortly after, Ervin was drafted into the Army for World War II. While Ervin was away at war, Doris worked in Fort Morgan at Yates Drug and the Farmers State Bank. When Ervin returned from his military service in November of 1945, they were married on December 20, 1945, in Sterling, CO.

Doris was a dedicated farm wife, helping Ervin on the Vangraefschepe family farm located one mile west and three miles south of New Raymer. On the farm, Doris supported her young family by raising chickens for eggs and meat, pork and beef, milked cows for milk and cream, and grew amazing gardens. The Vangraefschepe farm raised mostly wheat and sunflowers. Doris was well known for her harvest meals, feeding many hungry harvest hands often in the middle of a golden wheat field. Doris and Ervin moved into the town of New Raymer in 1978 where she spent much of her time growing beautiful flowers in her yard, entertaining friends through both her ladies club and card parties, and enjoying events and activities her grandchildren were involved in.

Doris enjoyed embroidery & needle work having made many sets of embroidered tea towels and pillowcases. She was well known by her family and neighbors as an excellent cook & baker where her flaky pies and desserts were envied by all. She loved to prepare large meals, especially for family gatherings and friends that needed a good, hot meal. Doris was very active in Home Extension Club work which included community service projects and support and the gathering, editing, and distribution of the Pawnee Hustlers community cookbooks. Doris was also well known for being the community historian having collected an extensive collection of historical articles and having worked alongside her sister, Pauline, as project directors of the History of New Raymer on Its Centennial book published in 1988 and the Northeast Weld County Homesteading the Dryland book edited by Bud Wells and published in 1986.

Doris was very active in the Northeast Weld County Fair, where she was an active supporter since its inception in 1950 and managed the cook shack at the fair for nearly 40 years. Doris was an active committee member of the New Raymer Bi-Centennial Celebration in 1976, the New Raymer Centennial Celebration in 1988, and the 50th Anniversary of the Northeast Weld County Fair and Rodeo in 1999. Doris was named Grand Marshall of the New Raymer 125th Celebration in 2013.

Ervin & Doris enjoyed going to community events, especially if dancing was involved. The Vangraefschepes also loved to travel, spending time visiting different parts of the United States as well as Europe, Mexico, the Carribean, and Hawaii. They also took many memorable camping and fishing trips with friends and family. Doris and Ervin were charter members of the New Raymer-Prairie Lions Club and were members of the St. John's Catholic Church in Stoneham.

Doris is survived by her three children, Carol (Cary) Lambert of New Raymer, Diane (Carl) Miller of Gunnison, CO, and Wayne (Teresa Irey) of Fort Morgan; her brother, Allen Box of Sterling, CO; her beloved 9 grandchildren, Chris (Julia) Lambert of Fort Morgan, Chad (Jill) Lambert of Brush, Cara (Ryan) Draegert of Brush, Cyle (Bryce) Lambert of New Raymer, Kayedeane (Jerrod) Samber of Atwood, Shanan (Kory) Kessinger of Akron, Carter (Cheryl) Vangraefschepe of Fort Morgan, Kaitlin (Taylor) Ruder of Wiggins, and Keaton Vangraefschepe and 13 great grandchildren Trenton, Jenna, Reese, Quinton, Delaney, Ainsley, Jaxson, Emmee, Sophie, Kacyn, Addicyn, Carly and August; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin; 3 sisters, Pauline Steffen, Louise Littlefield, and Karen Kester; a baby daughter at birth; and her parents.

Doris' favorite thing in the whole world was a gathering of family and friends on a Sunday afternoon, so the Celebration of her Life will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2017, at 3:00 PM at the New Raymer Community Center. Doris' favorite dinner and dessert will be served while reminiscing and sharing stories.

Inurnment will be in the New Raymer Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Doris Vangraefschepe Memorial Fund to be used towards the building of a new cook shack on the New Raymer fairgrounds. Send to P.O. Box 82, New Raymer, CO 80742.