On Tuesday, March 7, 2023, on the eve of International Women’s Day, Jean Ludington sauntered on passed.
the fields of gazing grain—passed the setting sun. She was a traveler, adventurer, walker, cook, baker, candy.
maker. She will be remembered for her generosity, her kindness, and her fierce love of family.
Affectionately known as G’ma Jean, Jean was born on winter solstice, December 21, 1930, to Mabel Duncan
and George Stillwell Lindley in Shenandoah, Iowa. She was the youngest of 9 siblings, all of whom preceded
her in death: Nina, Clarice, Murrell, Marjorie, Harold, Wilda, Philip, and Lois. Mother of 4 sons, Wayne of
Price, Utah; Ron of Silver City, NM; Dale of Las Cruces, NM; and Steve of Las Cruces, NM, Jean and her husband
Ivan raised their family in the Iowa City area.
In 1971 they moved with their youngest two sons to Las Cruces, where they built and operated the Terrace
Hills Mobile Home Park. Lifelong explorers, Jean & Ivan traveled New Mexico’s back roads and forest trails to
ghost towns, old mining camps, and pine covered mountains in search of adventure and deer--when they
were in season. While adventures were plentiful in their lives, “successful” hunts were most often a feast of
thermos coffee and day-old doughnuts, carefully packed by Jean, followed by a midmorning nap beneath a
warm autumn sun “waiting for the deer.” Their sauntering about the forests of New Mexico culminated in
their building a cabin in the Mimbres River Valley where the coffee came fresh from the pot and the deer
wandered unafraid into their yard.
Jean’s last year was spent at Heritage Assisted Living where she received affectionate care while continuing.
her daily walks, whether around the neighborhood or around the halls, in the company of friends.
Jean joins her lifelong traveling companion and fellow adventurer, Ivan Wayne Ludington, who preceded her.
in passing. She is survived by her sons and their wives: Wayne & Leigh, Ron & Peggy, Dale, and Steve & Olga.
She is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Tracy, Doug, Allen, Kaylene, Melissa, Christy, Pablo, Sierra, and River;
25 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great granddaughters.
Jean’s remains will join those of her husband, Ivan, at Masonic Cemetery in Las Cruces, NM. Service
Visitation will be held at Getz Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 5:00 pm viewing will take place Friday, March 17, 2023 at 9:00 am. Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 am followed by Burial at Masonic Cemetery at 11:00 am.

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