Beverly Caldwell

December 20, 1924 - December 26, 2014

After recently celebrating her 90th birthday, Beverly Elizabeth (Hardt) Caldwell went to be with the Lord on December 26, 2014. A memorial service will be held on January 2, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. to celebrate the life of Beverly at the CommUNITY Presbyterian Church in Rocky Ford with Pastor Steve L. Culver officiating. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at the family ranch. She was born on December 20, 1924 to William Phillip and Irene Schroeder Hardt in Redfield, South Dakota. When she was ten years old, her family moved to Rocky Ford and started a hardware store eventually known as Hardt Hardware. Beverly graduated from Rocky Ford High School in 1943 and Denver University in 1947 with a major in art and education. Her first teaching job was in Boise, Idaho. On a visit to her hometown in Rocky Ford, she met and fell in love with William Seely Caldwell. They were married on June 11, 1948 at the First Presbyterian Church in Rocky Ford. She and her husband owned and operated numerous farms over the years in the Rocky Ford area. Beverly also taught for 21 years in the R-2 school district which included 4th grade classes at Liberty and Lincoln Schools as well as art classes at both Jefferson Junior High and Liberty School until her retirement in 1987. Bev was a member of the Beta Sorority from 1945 until it disbanded and a long time member of the CommUNITY Presbyterian Church and Presbyterian Women. Her hobbies included art and craft appreciation, bowling, playing bridge and extensive travels with her husband as well as enjoying the activities of her family. Prior to her stroke in 1996, she was active in the church bell choir. Survivors include her children: Dennis (Debbie) Caldwell of Rocky Ford, Wayne Caldwell of Cheyenne Wells, Gary (Joyce) Caldwell and Gail (Charles) Zimmerman of Rocky Ford. Also surviving is her brother-in-lawWill Rogers of La Junta. Grandchildren include Shain Caldwell of Manzanola, Annette (Kurt) Harvey of Eagle, Kim Davis (Eric Austin) of Rocky Ford, Jennifer Caldwell (Bill Smith) of New York, NY, Brad Caldwell of Durango, Megan Caldwell of Fort Collins, Mike Strickland (Melissa Sparks) of Pueblo, Lara (Ryan) Herboldsheimer of Sydney, NE, Amy (Kep) Proctor of Las Animas, Leah (Joey) Johnson of Frisco, TX and Chad (Nicole) Zimmerman of Rocky Ford. Nineteen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren survive in addition to several nieces and nephews. Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Madelyn Rogers and brother William H. Hardt. In lieu of flowers family requests that memorial contributions be made to CommUNITY Presbyterian Church of Rocky Ford. Ford-Ustick Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.