Obituary: Franklin Kenneth “Bus” Norell

Franklin Kenneth (Bus) Norell, 87, of Delta, Colo., passed away Dec. 31, 2011, surrounded by his family. He was the youngest of three children, born Nov. 22, 1924, to George Dewey and Pearl Blanche Norell in Walden, Colo. As a young man his family lived in Walden, Colo., Tie Siding and McFadden, Wyo., before moving to DeBeque, Colo., where he was graduated from high school in 1942. After graduation the family moved to Collbran, Colo., where they raised and showed registered Hereford cattle. Bus showed cattle from Chicago to San Francisco.
On Aug. 27, 1950, he married Mary Jo Boise in Rifle; they lived in Collbran until 1957 when they moved to Piceance Creek to run the family ranch. While living on Piceance Creek they raised three sons. Bus was an active member of the Colorado Cattleman’s Association and a board member of the Colorado High School Rodeo Association and a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. Bus spent his life ranching, raising cattle and Quarter horses. He enjoyed competing in rodeos on the western slope and handed down that tradition to his children and his grandchildren. Bus enjoyed watching his family compete until his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dewey and Pearl; sister Gussie Williams and brother-in-law Richard Williams.
Bus is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Jo Norell of Delta, Colo.; sons, Ken (Paula) of Delta, Kirk (Linda) of Cash, Texas, Dee (Vicky) of Meeker; and eight grandchildren. Brother George Dewey Jr. and Sally Norell of Grand Junction and numerous nieces and nephews.
The celebration of his life will be held Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, at 12 p.m. at the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds in Meeker, Colo.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice.