Helen Patricia Ludlam

Helen Patricia “Pat” Ludlam, died on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at the Bonell Good Samaritan Center in Greeley. Grandma Pat was born on February 8, 1922 in Eureka, Kansas. The middle child of seven children, her family owned a dairy and everyone worked to make it go (from the smallest to the oldest.). They were poor but during the depression they would trade milk and butter for other things the family needed, so they never went hungry. “Make do, use it up, make it last or do without” was the family motto. The love made up for any lack of material things. Her father, Frederick A. Kays, loved his family very much but he had a weak heart. He died in 1945, leaving his wife Lillian to care for the whole family. During these hard times they would gather and do small tasks, while Lillian would read aloud to them. They spent many evenings singing together. The bond between the 7 Kays kids has stayed strong throughout the years. Pat married LaVerne Ludlam in 1940 and they lived on The Badger Farm where the family dairy kept some of its cows, near Eureka. Two sons were born to them there, Leslie Laverne and Jeremiah Kays. LaVerne never saw himself as a farmer and in late 1946 moved to Grand Junction and was employed as a mechanic by Jim Fuoco auto company in Grand Junction, Colorado. Soon after that Patricia and the young boys moved to Grand Junction. They lived in a tiny trailer on the Fuoco trailer park for the next year. Then, in 1947, LaVerne’s father and mother, James and Gladys also moved to Colorado after selling their farm to the US Corps of Engineers for development of the Toronto Dam, near Eureka. James purchased an existing garage and filling station and renamed the business, “Ludlam and Sons” The business operated as a partnership of James, LaVerne and younger brother Mel, for many years. Pat would work as station attendant during the day and bookkeeper at night. Patricia, LaVerne and the two boys moved out of the trailer and lived in the only living space on the property, a one-room garage that had been turned into a home. In 1950, the business had grown; James, an accomplished carpenter, built a two bedroom house on the east edge of the property, then Pat and Laverne found that they were pregnant again. This time a girl, Kathleen Sharon, was born on the day after Christmas. The little family got along well in their little home behind the station but soon James and Laverne purchased additional land immediately behind the business and built a larger house immediately behind the business. Pat, Laverne, Leslie, Jerry and Kathy moved in as soon as it was finished and the family lived there until the children were grown and gone to their own families. Pat’s mother, Lillian Kays, also moved to Grand Junction in the early 1950’s and lived with them until her death. Pat worked at the family business for several years and later at Dixon’s instrument manufacturing company for many years. When LaVerne’s health began to fail they sold the business and moved into a small home on 29-1/2 Road. When LaVerne died she moved to Greeley, Colorado to be near her daughter Kathy. Here she was actively involved in the Evans Museum, and the Centennial School as a volunteer. She also taught many children of God’s love in the AWANA program at Grace Church. She was also an active member of the SWAT team (Senior’s with a Testimony). Pat's life revolved around caring for people. She took care of her mother, Lillian for many years. She always asked what she could do for you. She never tired of doing for others. Survivors include a daughter and her husband, Kathy & Ed Herring of Evans; 2 sons and their wives, Les L. and Betty Ludlam of Highlands Ranch, Colorado and Jerry K. and Beverly Ludlam of Summerville, South Carolina; 6 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; a sister, Ora Jean Kays of Aurora, Missouri and a brother, David Dean Kays of Claremont, California and loves them all. She is deeply loved and missed by all her family. She is preceded in death by her husband, LaVerne Ludlam who died in 1985; 2 sisters, Lois Kelly and Laura Mack and 2 brothers, Robert Kays and Frederick Kays Jr.. A memorial service to celebrate Pat’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at the Grace Church, 6400 W. 20th Street in Greeley. Her urn will be buried at a later date in the Grand Junction Memorial Gardens cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Grace Church in care of Moser Funeral Service, 3501 S. 11th Avenue, Evans, Colorado 80620.

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Helen Patricia Ludlam

February 8, 1922 - January 13, 2008