By Cal Lutheran NewsLucille ‘Lucy’ Ballard
1925-2024
Lucille “Lucy” Ballard, Glencoe Ohio native, Thousand Oaks resident of 62 years, and longtime nurse died March 4, 2024, at age 98.
After growing up in Maryland and graduating high school, Lucy completed nurse’s training at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore. Her nursing career began in Tacoma, Washington, and she later went to work in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she met and married her husband of 60 years, Roy “Jake” Ballard.
Lucy served California Lutheran University for 35 years as a nurse at Health Services. During this time, she joined Jake in Saudi Arabia for two years and worked in the Health Department at the American Embassy. In 1996, she became an Honorary Alumna of Cal Lutheran.
Lucy gave back to her community in numerous ways. She was a Conejo Valley Hospital volunteer, PTA member, Community Concert president, Conejo Valley Historical Society member, Women of the Evangelical Church in America member and she started the Healing Ministry at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, siblings, son, son-in-law, grandson, and four great-grandchildren. Lucy Ballard is survived by her five children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson.
Allen Otto Leland
1925-2024
Allen Otto Leland, Marine, teacher, and California Lutheran University faculty member died on April 21, 2024, at age 99.
Born in Kidder County, North Dakota, Allen pursued higher education after serving in the U.S. Marines. He earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud Teachers College in 1950.
Allen taught in North Dakota for two years and later Minneapolis, Minnesota. In Minnesota, he was set up on a blind date with Anne Adele Henrikson, who later became his wife of 62 years.
He received his master’s degree at the University of Minnesota in 1956 and earned his doctorate from UCLA in curriculum and administration in 1962.
When California Lutheran College was being established, the founders asked Allen to organize the Education Department in 1962.
Allen and his family bought land and built a home on campus.
In 1963, he was the acting dean and president. From 1962 to 1997 he was a professor and became the university’s first dean of education.
Allen developed multiple programs for teachers and proposed the establishment of a school administration program.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and siblings. He is survived by his children, sister, grandchildren and three great-grandchildren with two more soon to be born.
