Barbara Ann Ludwig

Barbara Ann Ludwig (née Lewton), aged 83, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026, in Gilbert, Arizona. Born on January 12, 1943, in Sioux City, Iowa, Barbara lived a life defined by faith, love, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of others.

Barbara’s academic journey was marked by her dedication to learning and service. She earned her Nursing Diploma from the Methodist School for Nurses in Sioux City, Iowa, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City. Her passion for education and mental health led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She further enriched her expertise through Clinical Pastoral Education at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California.

Barbara’s professional accomplishments were extraordinary and transformative. She developed Nevada's first school-based health center and expanded it into four centers that served over 150,000 students within the Clark County School District. Her advocacy extended beyond healthcare; she founded the first Clark County Safe Kids Coalition for Nevada, which won two national awards and impacted over 35,000 children and parents annually. Barbara also spearheaded the Columbia Teen Screen Depression Screening program in Clark County schools through the Clark County Health District and played a pivotal role in establishing national quality assurance standards for Columbia University’s TeenScreen Program. Her work was a testament to her compassion and dedication to protecting children and families.

Barbara’s faith was central to her life. She held leadership roles at every church she attended throughout her journey: Morningside Presbyterian Church in Sioux City, Iowa; First Presbyterian Church in Las Vegas, Nevada; Conifer Community Church in Conifer, Colorado; and most recently The Grove in Chandler, Arizona. As a chaplain, she offered spiritual guidance with grace and empathy that reflected her deep belief in serving others.

Her personal life was equally rich with love and devotion. Barbara is survived by her beloved husband Ron; her three loving sons Chris and his wife Marcie, Heath and his wife Katie, and Ryan with his wife Kathy; and nine cherished grandchildren: Eli, Ethan, Willow, Isaac, Tanner, Olivia, Ryan, Riley, and Maverick. She poured her heart into every relationship she nurtured with family and friends alike.

Barbara faced life’s challenges with remarkable strength. Over 42 years of battling cancer multiple times, she met each diagnosis with courage and unwavering faith. Her resilience inspired everyone who knew her.

A lifelong learner with an insatiable curiosity about both the world and her faith, Barbara devoted countless hours to studying the Bible and exploring how its teachings shaped her understanding of life. She loved immersing herself in novels as much as she loved deepening her spiritual knowledge, finding meaning, comfort, and inspiration in both. Her legacy is one of courage, service to others, boundless love for family and community alike, and above all, a life lived with intention and a faith she continually sought to understand and embody.

May Barbara Ann Ludwig’s memory bring comfort to all who were touched by her extraordinary spirit. A Memorial Service will be held on April 10, 2026, from 02:00 PM to 05:00 PM at Conifer Community Church 9998 Havekost Rd, Conifer, Colorado 80433

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Barbara's name to www.whatislivelove.org