Karla Jean (Ritschard) Pond

Karla Jean Pond, 87, of Clifton Colorado passed away on March 11, 2022. 
Karla is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, John Pond, of Clifton, Colorado. John fell in love with Karla in Grand Junction, where she was attending college. The first night he met her, he noticed she had a beautiful smile, which she carried with her until her last day. The young couple quickly wed and moved to Maine for three years when John enlisted in the Army and, thus, began a 63-year romance that remained joyful through good times and steady through bad times.
Also survived by Karla are her daughters, Leslie Irvin of Walters, OK; Lori Prough of Duncan, OK; Louise Ferguson of Longmont, CO, and sons John Pond of Grand Junction, CO and Karl Pond of Grand Junction. Karla was grandmother to 17 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Also, surviving Karla is her beloved siblings, Herb Ritschard, Ruth Welz, James Ritschard, Irene Ritschard, and Robert Ritschard.
Karla grew up on a working ranch in Kremmling, CO where she worked hard alongside her parents and siblings to keep their family ranch thriving; she was very proud to be a cowgirl! Karla filled the shoes of many jobs in her life including Administrative Assistant for the NSA in Washington, DC, a piano salesperson in Denver, CO, as cook for both the local airport and the local schools, an entrepreneur, and a wide-load escort for truck drivers. One of Karla's most satisfying positions was the one she held for several years as a volunteer to Heirlooms for Hospice, in Grand Junction, CO. However, Karla's biggest and most challenging role was that of mom to five children; as the wife to an over-the-road truck driver, Karla raised her children and managed her home bravely and confidently whenever John was away from home.
Karla was an amazing woman who will be missed greatly by her family and friends. As per her wishes, Karla was cremated and she will be honored in a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on March 26th at First Presbyterian Church located at 3940 27 1/2 Rd in Grand Junction, CO.  
 

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