June 11, 1934 ~ August 17, 2026
Maude Frances Goedert was born at home on the family ranch in Arvada, Colorado, on June 11, 1934, to William Claiborne Moore and Maude Moore. Frances, or Frankie, was the youngest of four children: Betty, Billy, Mary and Frances.
Frances attended Arvada schools, graduating from high school in 1952, and worked in downtown Arvada afterward.
Frances met Joe Goedert, her future husband, in Arvada after her bright yellow dress and red shoes caught Joe’s eye as he and his friends drove by a group of ladies. After a mutual interest and a bottle of liquor shared between Joe and Frances’ older brother, Billy Moore, the two began dating and later married in 1953.
Joe and Frances raised their daughters, Cindy, Connie and Wendy, in Arvada on the same ranch where Frances grew up riding horses. Seven years after their youngest daughter, Wendy, was born, Frances and Joe had their sons, Billy and Terry.
As Arvada grew and ranching became increasingly difficult, Frances’ parents bought a ranch in Meeker in 1971. Joe and Frances moved the entire family to the ranch on Irish Mesa, where they remained until 1999.
In Meeker, Frances carried on as a busy mother of five while also making three meals a day for hay and branding crews, friends and family, and tending a large, bountiful garden full of vegetables, strawberries and many rows of colorful irises.
As her kids grew up, Frances thoroughly enjoyed taking on new roles, including serving as Meeker’s Avon lady, working at the Hallmark store and Meeker Drug, selling hunting licenses and, lastly, cooking for the Lions Club, where she showcased her talents in cooking, bread making and baking.
Frances loved spending time with her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always ready to feed whoever stepped through her door and teach them how to make her famous dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls.
If you asked Frances what her biggest accomplishment in life was, we think she would say her 71 years of marriage to Joe, who was always at her side. Joe passed away in 2024, leaving an empty space that was finally filled when Frances left this world on Aug. 17, 2026.
Frances is survived by her five children, Cindy Welle (Dick), Connie Goedert-Edwards (Tom), Wendy Garrett (Greg), Billy Goedert (Natasha) and Terry Goedert (Dee Ann); as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jake, Sarah, Trysta, Thomas, Elaina, Uri, Sophia, Kyloe, Faith Ann, Sarina, Ty and Reed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Maude Moore; siblings Betty, Billy and Mary; grandson Timothy Welle; and her husband of 71 years, Joe Goedert.
A joint graveside memorial for Frances and Joe Goedert is planned for Nov. 27, 2026. Details will be announced.
