Alma B. Murr, who came to Colorado by covered wagon, died in Grand Junction on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at age 97.

Born in Nebraska to Claude and Effie (Wells) Burner on Nov. 17, 1906, Murr moved with her parents to Wyoming and then on to Colorado as a very young child. Her father died when she was young, leaving his wife and five children, Alma being the oldest child.

They moved to Meeker in 1917, and she graduated from Meeker High School. The family lived on Flag Creek, near Meeker, and then moved to Powell Park.

On Nov. 12, 1927, she married Orel Murr in Craig. They farmed on Beaver Creek, near Meeker, then moved to Rifle and finally settled in Peach Valley in New Castle, where they lived for 69 years.

The Murrs grew cherries, peaches and apples and sold them at a roadside fruit market for many years. In 1970, they took out the orchard and raised hay. Orel Murr died in 1985. Alma continued to live on the ranch until two years ago. Her son Richard now runs the farm.

In addition to her farming and ranch life, Alma wrote many poems over the years, which she considered one of her great accomplishments. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Garfield County and then the First Baptist Church of New Castle.

She was also a member of the Rebekahs and the Extension Club.

She is survived by her son Richard and his wife, Linda, of New Castle; her son Robert and his wife, Ruth, of Glenwood Springs; her daughter Phyllis Bostelman and her husband Denzel, of Grand Junction; and her sister, Evelyn Metzger, of Meeker.

A service will be held Friday, May 14, at 2 p.m., at the First Baptist Church of New Castle. The Rev. Robert Murr will officiate. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery in New Castle.