Frankie Cornum

Frankie Jean Groat Cornum of Palisade, Colorado, formerly of La Jara, died peacefully November 3rd, 2017, at her home in Palisade, with her loving family at her side. Frankie had fought a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

She was born July 10, 1936, to Harold P. Groat and Dorotha Elizabeth (Bradley) Groat. Frankie grew up in Alamosa and La Jara, Colorado. She was about 14 when the family moved to La Jara, and she later graduated from La Jara High School.

She married her husband of 62 years, Kurt, in Alamosa in 1954. They would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary next month.

She attended Adams State College and received a 2-year secretarial certificate, then worked as a secretary for Joseph T. Wilson, who was the architect who designed a number of the buildings at Adams State College. She typed endless blueprints and other documents for these projects – and this was in the days before computers! She worked at Van West Motors in La Jara for a year while Kurt was stationed in Turkey. She sent many a delicious care package to Kurt during this time, to which he truly looked forward and appreciated.

Frankie loved animals – and animals loved her. She had a green thumb and grew many beautiful flowers and vegetable gardens through the years. After they retired and moved back to Palisade, Frankie and Kurt had a peach orchard where Frankie spent countless hours pruning and picking, and then cooking, freezing, canning, and enjoying! She did beautiful hand work – crocheting, sewing, embroidery – you name it, Frankie could make it. She decorated their home with many special hand-made items. She was an excellent seamstress and tailor, and made many many clothes and outfits for her family, including wedding dresses and tuxedos (right down to the cummerbund)!

Frankie is survived by her husband Kurt Cornum, of Palisade; son Kory Cornum, of Palisade; daughter Kara Cornum, of Anchorage, Alaska; her dear cousin, Phyllis Barker, of Grand Junction; and sister-in-law Judy Parrish of Sanford. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Dorotha Groat, and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Frankie was a lovely person and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.