Iris Jeanne Van Vleet

Iris Jeanne (Ballard) Van Vleet, age 90, from Fort Collins, CO passed away on May 15, 2026.
She was born on March 20, 1936, in Pueblo CO, to John D and Mildred (Brownlee) Ballard. She was the second of eight children. She was a precocious, independent girl who loved riding her bike around town.

Iris graduated from Campion Academy in Loveland, CO, in 1954 and moved to Los Angeles, CA, in 1958, where she worked at Occidental Life. While living in Los Angeles, she met Ronald "Van" Van Vleet who was stationed with her brother, Frank, at March Air Force Base. They married on February 20, 1960, and came to Colorado in 1961.

She and Van raised their three daughters in Littleton, CO, in a lively and close-knit neighborhood on Huron Street, where they lived for 40 years. She was a dedicated homemaker who was devoted to Van and her three daughters. She also provided steadfast care and support for her extended family.

Iris loved baking a delicious loaf of bread, gardening, embroidery and crocheting. She was an extremely accomplished seamstress, sewing for both family and friends. She made quilts for all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a lifelong fan of baseball and a loyal fan of the Colorado Rockies, win or lose.

When Van retired in 1999, they moved to Fort Collin where they enjoyed spending time with their daughters and grandchildren as well as visiting their youngest daughter and her family in Wisconsin.

Iris loved to travel, visiting over forty different states, Michigan being one of her favorites. She was happiest when spending time with her family and sharing stories of her childhood and the days when her daughters were young. She treasured those times and always felt like time went too fast.

Iris is survived by her daughters, Jennifer (David) Pond, Laurie (Robert) Elliott and Beth (Mike) McKay; ten grandchildren, Tyler (Maria), Emily, Allison, Connor (CJ), Kellen (Jaden), Chloe, Noah (Stephanie), Sophie, Justin and Brady; eight great grandchildren; Jaxon, Lillee, Oakley, Penny, Wyatt, Carson, Arthur and Atlus; sisters Sue (Billy) Peel, Sandra (Jeff) Warnick; brothers Frank (Lyn) Ballard, Vernon (Pat) Ballard, Raymond (Lori) Ballard and Mark (Claire) Ballard; sisters-in-law Shirley Van Vleet and Janet (Ed) Thompson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Van Vleet; her parents, John and Mildred Ballard and in-laws, Robert and Arleita Van Vleet; brother John Ballard; brothers-in-law Gary Van Vleet and Bruce (Barbara) Van Vleet, and sister-in-law Marlene (Jim) Monfort.

"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." – Yogi Berra

Mom, we are so grateful for your sense of humor, love and devotion to our family. We know dad has been waiting for you, and you will be so happy to see him.