Cleo Marie Biard

Cleo Marie (Boren) Biard was born in Villagreen, Las Animas county, Colorado on 22 October 1933. She was born on her daddy’s birthday when he was 54. She passed away on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at Vista Mesa Assisted Living in Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado at the age of 87.
Cleo married Charles Thomas “Tommy” Biard on 1 October 1949 in Aztec, San Juan County, New Mexico. Cleo was 15 and Tommy was 18 when they married. Then Cleo and Tommy gave birth to four children: Ernest Lynn, Kathy Marie, Ronald Lee and Tommy Gail. Cleo and Tommy were two kids raising kids and worked hard throughout their lives to give their children the best lives they could.
Cleo’s mother Edith Angeline Fincher was a strong pioneer woman. After being widowed, she came to Colorado in a covered wagon with 6 children and an old Grandpa man. She then met and married Luther Manual Boren in Villagreen Colorado who also had 6 children. After they were married, they had Cleo Marie and Leon Everett. Edith was 41 when she gave birth to Cleo. Cleo inherited the strength and determination her mother presented along with honesty, integrity and pride. In turn she passed these traits to her children who are eternally grateful.
There are many stories recited by her children and they all reflect her deep undying love and dedication. Of how she took moments to make them laugh and enjoy life. She was also a protector and would stand up to the biggest man to protect her family. Cleo was a treasure from God to all she touched and will be missed beyond words. She will live on through the hearts and minds of those who remain.
Cleo was preceded in death by her mother and father; twelve half brothers and sisters; one brother; her grandson Nathan Neil Biard; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Ernie and Shelley Biard, Kathy and Dennis Retherford, Ronnie and Melissa Biard and Tommy Gail Biard; nine grandchildren, Van, Tara and Angelo, Craig and Becky, Stefanie and Carlos, Jenny and Louie, Justin, Janae and Paul, and Joshua and Ashley; nineteen great-grandchildren, Zekiel, Tory, Tayla, Tanae, Juan, Kathy Jr, Gabriel, Cuba, Ciana, Cailah, Tayonna, Colton, Evan, Gavin, Jade, Jordan, Asher, Liam and Barrett; and four great-great-grandchildren, Adrian, Kingsley, Cohen and Sophia.
Special Note: Our mother filled our hearts with her love, taught us good morals and left us with the fondest of memories. We all love and miss her dearly and will always cherish the memories and the place she holds in our hearts.
Memorial contributions can be made in Cleo’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, act.alz.org.