Lotusland Garden in Santa Barbara
October 2009

Ken and Gerd, Vail September 2005

On January 2, 2010 Kathy's brother, Ken Ball, lost his beloved wife, Gerd, after an illness of over a year. She died at home with the care of Hospice and family. The picture above was taken on a beautiful day in the fall colors of Vail Colorado. They came to help me, Kathy, celebrate my 70th birthday. In the next few years we had occasion to visit them at their home. This year we spent a weekend together in Santa Barbara.

They were married for over 52 years, raised two children, and established a successful business in Southern California. They built a lovely home in Rancho Palos Verdes and lived there the past 20 years or more.

I will miss the phone calls and conversations we had over the years since moving to New Mexico. I find myself thinking of her as I live each day, composing in my mind what I would like to tell her the next time we talk. This a habit of many years and it will be a long time before this habit goes away.

Wish I could say she is with the Lord because of her trust and belief in Christ, but only God knows our hearts during those last few fleeting moments.

She is greatly missed by us.