Nancy Jane Baller

Nancy Jane Bray Baller, 84, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026, surrounded by the love of her husband, Charles, and their children at her home in Castle Pines, Colorado.

During her distinguished teaching career in Colorado and Iowa, Nancy touched and enriched the lives of thousands of elementary schoolchildren. A gifted, dedicated, and deeply loved educator, she spent 32 years teaching in Parker and Aurora, Colorado, and Ankeny, Iowa. Nancy believed every child was unique and deserving of encouragement, kindness, and the opportunity to succeed. Her classroom was a place where students felt seen, valued, and inspired, and many carried the lessons she taught long after they left her classroom.

Nancy was born on February 9, 1942, in Litchfield, Illinois, to Jack and Dorothy Bray. As the eldest of their children, she grew up in Litchfield and graduated from Litchfield High School before attending Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Education.

Even as a young woman, Nancy embraced every opportunity to learn, lead, and serve. She was active in student leadership, cheerleading, chorus, and numerous school organizations. Blessed with a beautiful singing voice, she earned recognition as a member of the Illinois All-State Chorus and received the prestigious Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Citizenship Award, honoring her leadership, dependability, and character. Her love of music continued at Southern Illinois University, where she was a member of the Angel Flight Chorus, a campus service organization affiliated with the Air Force ROTC.

On March 25, 1967, Nancy married the love of her life, Charles Baller, at Union Avenue Christian Church in Litchfield. Together they shared 59 wonderful years of marriage built on faith, devotion, laughter, and an unwavering commitment to one another.

Faith was the foundation of Nancy's life. She lived her beliefs through compassion, generosity, and genuine care for others. She was a longtime member of Southeast Christian Church in Parker and most recently attended Journey Church in Castle Pines.

While Nancy loved teaching, nothing brought her greater joy than her family. She was immensely proud of her three children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She delighted in celebrating every milestone, cheering from the sidelines, and creating traditions that brought everyone together. One of her greatest blessings was becoming a great-grandmother, welcoming a great-granddaughter and a great-grandson just two months apart.

Nancy had a remarkable gift for making people feel welcomed and loved. Whether gathered around the table playing board games, enjoying countless rounds of Mexican Train, sharing stories, or expressing her creativity through art, she treasured time spent with those she loved. Her gentle spirit, patient heart, kind smile, and quiet strength left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Throughout her life, Nancy's greatest calling was investing in children. She spent more than three decades nurturing young minds in the classroom and continued that same love and encouragement as a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She celebrated every accomplishment, offered wisdom with patience and grace, and made each member of her family feel deeply loved. Her legacy lives on not only through the lessons she taught, but through the kindness, faith, and compassion she instilled in generations of students and in the family she cherished above all else.

Nancy is survived by her beloved husband, Charles Baller; her daughter, Julie Conaway of Castle Pines, Colorado; her son, Chris Baller of Parker, Colorado; and her daughter, Jennifer (Jeff) Wells of Parker, Colorado. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Rylee Friedrichs of Hulbert, Oklahoma; Megan Conaway of Castle Pines, Colorado; Ashley Baller of Thornton, Colorado; Tyler Baller of Castle Rock, Colorado; Jordan Baller of Castle Rock, Colorado; Kyla Wells, Lucas Wells, and Blake Wells, all of Parker, Colorado. She also leaves behind her treasured great-grandchildren, Olive Baller and Richard Friedrichs Jr.

Nancy is also survived by her sister, Linda Musgrave of Martinsburg, West Virginia; her brother, Jim (Carol Knowles) Bray of Leland Grove, Illinois; along with several cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Dorothy Bray.

A Celebration of Nancy's Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 24, at Horan & McConaty, 5303 E. County Line Road, Centennial, Colorado. A reception will immediately follow the service. At 1:30 p.m., Nancy will be laid to rest at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 E. Kenyon Avenue, Denver, Colorado.

Guests are invited to wear blue, Nancy's favorite color, in celebration of her life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a charity that held a special place in Nancy's heart.