GLADYS BALLARD, 95

Gladys Ballard passed away Friday, November 2 at the Madison Valley Manor in Ennis, Montana.

Gladys was born September 17, 1923 in Miles City, Montana to her loving parents, Herman and Bertha Shook. She was sister to a much loved twin brother, Glen, younger brother Dude, and sister, Fern. Gladys grew up in the Miles City area, graduated from Miles City High School, and worked at a local department store until she met her future husband, Jack Ballard from Cardwell, Montana. Although she made the move to the mountains, she always remained a flat lander at heart and no amount of teasing would make her back down.

Gladys was mother to five chidren, was a wonderful cook and gardener, and liked to sew and quilt. She was an avid reader her entire life and helped start the local Book Mobile. She loved to square dance, and with Jack, attended dances all over southwest Montana. After getting her last child in school at Cardwell, Gladys returned to work at Dick's Department Store in Whitehall, Montana where she was employed for many years.

Jack and Gladys were instrumental in helping start Cardwell Community Church where she taught Sunday School, Bible School and was always at her place in her pew for many years. She had many friends she cherished from the Whitehall Senior Center.

Gladys lost her husband in September of 2000 after 54 years of marriage. She is survived by her children, Bill and Mary Ann Ballard, John and Jan Ballard, Barbara and Bill Seybert, Casey and Kathleen Ballard, and Bev and Randy Kirk. She was grandmother to ten grandchildren and great-grandmother to fourteen children. She cared deeply for her brothers and sisters by marriage, her nieces and nephews, and her many friends made over a lifetime of 95 years.

The funeral will be Thursday, November 8, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cardwell Community Church. Memorials: Whitehall Senior Citizens Center, Whitehall, Montana.