Rae M Benton

She was born March 19th, 1929 in Denver Colorado to Ray M. and Edna Morris. Her parents believed in a good education, so she attended Kent School for Girls, Brown University and finished her degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Colorado. Rae climbed nine of Colorado’s 14ers from 1944 to 1947 with the Colorado Mountain club and was a competent skier. Her initial ambition during college was to become an international business attorney, but those plans changed when she met and married John T Benton from Burns, Colorado. Together they actively ranched, raising the 4th generation of Bentons on the ranch in Burns. She believed strongly in community engagement and pursued areas where she felt she could contribute. During her ranching years she served as State President of the Colorado Cattlewomen’s Association, President of Eagle County Library Board and Historical Society, taught Sunday School at the Burns church, started a Burns Hole 4-H club, and was Secretary for the Eagle County Republican Party while John served as the Chairman.

Perhaps her most remarkable aspect was her ability to adjust to ranching accommodations from the “good” life growing up in Denver. She moved from a lovely home in Denver to a home built in the late 1800’s in Burns with it current resident population of rodents, no electricity, water from a spring, fireplace heating, and hand-driven appliances. Raising little children required hanging diapers out on a clothesline in summer and winter (freeze dried) and planning meals knowing the nearest grocery store was a two-hour drive. She became a fabulous cook, gracious host and with a sharp mind she mastered bridge, cribbage and other board games. Rae played both the piano and accordion and made sure her three children knew a little music before they graduated from high school.

The Burns school closed in the mid 60’s so Rae and John purchased a home in Glenwood springs in 1966 and for the next 10 years Rae ran the ranch house during the summer and Glenwood home during the school year. She quickly made some great friends in Glenwood and their three children picked up tennis, swimming and skiing at Sunlight. Later after her daughter Cindy was in college, they entered a contest sponsored by Governor John Love’s wife to model vintage Colorado dresses. Rae and Cindy won the dress contest celebrating 100 years of Statehood and they were introduced to the Colorado legislature for their accomplishments. After her husband’s untimely death in 1991, she along with the neighbors maintained the ranch, until it sold in 1993 and she moved to Beaver Creek. She was able to transition her life again, and joined Club 50, the YaYas, and contributed to educational and art functions in the area. Her life was very active as she learned to play golf, travel more extensively, and continued to ski until age 75, when she moved to Grand Junction to be closer to her youngest son’s family members. We know she greatly appreciated all her friends and neighbors who contributed to her life.

Rae is survived by her daughter Cindy, and sons John (Jody) and their children Michael (Lucie) and Andrew (Stevie), and son Tom (Nancy) and their children, John Garrett (Jordan), Katie (Cody) Iden, Sarah (Matt) Shaffer, and her godson – Jim Toomer. In addition, she has six great grandchildren. Rae was a consummate learner and coach for her children. Rae was known to be a sharp, generous, classy and welcoming individual. Her family welcomes her friends, and ours, to her celebration of life services to be held in the First Presbyterian Church on Courtland Avenue, 11:00 am November 16th with a reception to follow.