Frances Marie (Vrbas) Ham

July 11, 1925-Sept. 16, 2007

THORNTON, Colo. -- Frances Marie (Vrbas) Ham, 82, formerly of Benkelman, died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, at the North Suburban Medical Center in Thornton, Colo.

She was born July 11, 1925, to Frank J. and Mary (Bartosovsky) Vrbas, in Rawlins County, Kan. She attended country school near Beardsley, Kan. She graduated from the Charles Beauty Academy in Denver, Colo., in 1946.

On June 18, 1951, she married John E. Ham at St. John's Catholic Church near Beardsley. They made their home in Benkelman, and adopted three children, Craig "Tom," Gregory, and Michelle.

She was an active member of St. Joseph's Altar Society and choir until her health failed.

Her husband, John, preceded her in death on May 9, 2007. Also preceding her in death were her parents; brothers Frank, William, Bernard, and Raymond Vrbas; sisters Helen Horinek, Alice Horinek, Gertrude Havel, Antoinette Horinek, and Martha Soucheck.

Survivors include her sons, Craig "Tom" and wife, Betty of Ogallala, and Greg and wife, Holly of Holdrege; daughter Michelle Pursley of Commerce City, Colo.; brother Charles and wife, Mary Vrbas of Palisade; two sisters, Marian Ruda of Atwood and Adella Harry of Colby, Kan.; in-laws, Edith Vrbas of Atwood, Carolyn Vrbas of Hays, Kan., Bud Souchek of Arvada, Colo., and Ron and Jean Marie Jones of Benkelman; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends.

She chose to donate her body to science. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Benkelman, officiated by the Rev. Sean Redmond. Inurnment at the Benkelman Cemetery for both Frances and John will follow the service.

Memorials are suggested to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the church, or donor's choice.