E. Leigh Acord, 90

E. Leigh Acord was born in Cornland, IL to Elmer and Edna (Hedger) Johnson, the youngest of three girls. Leigh passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at the Cottonwood Villa in Ainsworth, NE at the age of 90 years.

As a young adult, Leigh acquired a job milking cows for Duane Acord and his father Francis in Fraser, CO. Tending 60 to 90 dairy cows is a lot of work and this labor gathered the gumption in Duane to ask Leigh for her hand in marriage. They were married November 9, 1961 in a log church in Granby, CO. Events proceeded, the dairy was sold, then Leigh and Duane made a home in Yampa, CO starting Acord Land and Cattle. The name “Land and Cattle” was their influence as they grew cattle and put up hay to survive the winter. Leigh also maintained a flock of sheep. In this agricultural endeavor they raised three daughters-Dana, Francine, and Katherine “Babe”.

Drought conditions in the year 2000 caused Leigh and Duane to search Nebraska in order to pasture their cattle for the winter. A lease quickly turned into a purchase and began a long transition to Nebraska. Leigh commonly talked about the beautiful mountain scenery and how she missed the smell of “good fresh cut mountain hay!” which she’d say with oomph and slap her fist upon the counter.

Leigh was especially fond of a good riding mare and was lucky to have more than one. She was quite capable of handling a team of horses as cattle in the Colorado mountains were almost always fed by team and sleigh. Leigh was a steward of the land and livestock; she always showed kindness to animals. Leigh was an outstanding mother and grandmother. She made huge impressions to the character of her grandchildren.

Leigh was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Phyllis; daughter, Katherine “Babe” Chalker; grandsons, Tyrel Sandefur and CJ Chalker.

She is survived by her sister, Lois Udema; daughters, Dana Acord and Francine Brown; grandchildren, Tell Sandefur, Dalene (Joe) Harthun, Kalene Acord, Clint Chew, Nick Chew and Sonny Chalker; and six or more great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services were held on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at the Yampa Bible Church in Yampa, CO with interment following at the South Routt Cemetery at Yampa. Arrangements were handled through the Yampa Valley Funeral Home of Steamboat Springs, CO and the Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth, NE. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.