Audna Balko

Audna Balko went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, June 17, 2022. Her family will celebrate her life of 84 years at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 24, 2022, at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. We invite you to view the live-streamed service and sign her virtual guestbook on this page.On December 4, 1937, Audna was born to Robert and Lola Swinford in Clovis, NM. She married Leon on October 19, 1956, in Portales, NM. She grew up in Fields, NM, as the youngest of 8 children. Her father was a bus driver, so she spent a lot of time at school. She was active in 4-H and won numerous awards for canning. She loved cooking, and when she cooked for large groups, she made it look effortless. She was happily married to Leon for 55 years. They enjoyed traveling, deep-sea fishing, going to Tech games, watching baseball, and going to their lake house. They were the host family for several foreign exchange students at Texas Tech and considered them part of the family. She had a career as a hairdresser and owned her own shop in Amarillo for many years.Audna was a wonderful mother and a fun and loving “Nana” to the grandchildren she adored. She will be remembered for many things, but those who knew her well knew the annual family reunion held in Sacramento, NM, was something she treasured.Survivors include her son, Edmond (Donna) Balko; daughter-in-law, Kathy Balko; grandchildren, Megan (Jordan) Ohlmann, Ryan (Haley) Balko, Jenny Balko, Kayla Balko, Regan Balko, Collin (Halston) Balko; great-grandchildren, Toby Ohlmann, Barrett Ohlmann, Claire Ohlmann, Samuel Balko, Ellie Balko, Coen Balko; sister, Jessie (Wright) Butler.She was preceded in death by spouse, Leon Balko; son, Rex Balko; sister, Lola Smith; sister, Mary Scoggin; sister, Nella Isaacs; brother, Bob Swinford; brother, Frankie Swinford; brother, H.J. Swinford.