Arleda Ann Ballard

Arleda’s grandparents were immigrants from Sweden who settled in Georgetown, CO as silver miners, her roots are still there with the family house intact, creating a lifelong love for everything Swedish and the town of Georgetown.

Arleda was born to Arthur and Elizabeth Greenwood in Jerome, Arizona on May 18, 1929. Her family, mother, father and two brothers Bob and Don, resided in Clarkdale, Arizona where her father was the chief electrician at the copper smelter. Arleda recently chronicled some of her memories of growing up in Clarkdale in a publication that will be placed in the Clarkdale Historical Society and Museum. The publication is titled “Remembering Four Unique Personalities Who Served Clarkdale During the Early 1930s.”

At the age of 12, the family moved to Glendale, CA so her father could take a job as an electrical engineer at Lockheed. Arleda finished her formative education during WWII enduring air raid sirens, blackout shades on windows, and rations on food and gas. Arleda played the oboe in school, sang in the choir, and excelled on the piano. She was fortunate to be able to attend the nearby Occidental College, graduating with a degree in elementary education.

While performing her summer employment as a playground supervisor of children of working parents, Arleda met her future husband, Jack Ballard. The two hit it off on the tennis court, beginning a long-distance romance while she taught 2nd grade in Palo Alto, CA, and he, teaching high school history in Coalinga CA. Upon learning of Jack’s imminent orders to report for active duty in the Air Force, they decided there was no time to waste, planning and getting married in three weeks’ time. Arleda and Jack celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in February 2024.

Nicely settled into married life, Arleda and Jack welcomed Ken (1955), Don (1958), and Cheryl (1965). Their adventures consisted of numerous moves around the country to states as far away as Alaska, getting to see it voted in as a state in 1959, and spending a year apart while Jack was in Korea. One of her fondest memories was singing in the Anchorage choir that was directed by guest conductor Robert Shaw. In 1974, the family moved back permanently to Colorado. All in all, Arleda enjoyed being a military officer’s wife, meeting all kinds of people and having wonderful experiences.

For Arleda her strong and never wavering faith, love of classical music, history, ancestry, education and family defined her years. She was active in church activities, tutored students in schoolwork and piano, went skiing with the family, visited shut-ins, wrote many notes encouraging others in times of need and diligently raised three children while Jack worked. Arleda will be remembered as a faithful, supportive wife and loving mother to her three children.

Arleda is survived by her husband Jack, children Ken (Jan), Don, Cheryl, grandchildren, Ryan Ballard, Steve (Kendra) Ballard, Scott (Bethany) Ballard, Erik (Torrey) Rohweder, Rachel Rohweder and 5 great-grandchildren, Oliver Ballard, Christian Ballard, Eric Gomez (Rohweder), Aksel Rohweder, and Finnley Rohweder.

The family would like to formally thank Arleda’s most cherished and loved helpmate of 16 years Jennifer Gibbs.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made on her behalf to the Georgetown Historical Society or Clarkdale Historical Society and Museum.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 28th at Littleton United Methodist Church. A private graveside burial service will be held on Wednesday, July 3rd at Ft. Logan National Cemetery.