Donnis Krietzky Wick

Donnis E. Wick, 92, beloved mother and grandmother, of Littleton, Colorado passed away peacefully on December 28, 2020.  Donnis is survived by her children Sharon, Joan Fleischhacker & husband Steve, Kenneth & wife Lisa, and Dennis; grandchildren Alexandra Stone-Wick & husband Michael, Victoria, and David. Donnis was preceded in death by her three siblings, Charles Krietzy, Lily Lane, and Alice Dillon; grandson Eric Fleischhacker, and husband Dr. Albert Wick.

Donnis Esther Krietzky Wick (Donnie) was born on August 15, 1928 in New York, New York. The first born of Michael Krietzky and Mabel Anderson Krietzky, Donnis told stories of a colorful childhood moving from city to city with her family as her father, a Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) minister, moved from congregation to congregation. She was outspoken and precocious in a time and place where strong-willed women defied expectation. Donnis attended Sheyenne River Academy and later graduated from Potomac Adventist Academy in 1946. She went on to begin nurse’s training at Union College in Lincoln, NE. She met Albert (Al) Wick at Union College, and they married on September 5, 1948.

The Wicks moved between Lincoln, NE and Loma Linda, CA finally settling in Denver, CO in 1964. There, Donnis devoted herself to her family. She was a proud wife, loving mother, and attentive grandmother. Her life centered around caring for her family. Among her many talents, Donnis was a skilled seamstress, knitter, hat-maker, and painter.

A  life-long member of the SDA church, Donnis would proudly proclaim that she had never tasted meat, coffee, or alcohol. She was a sought-after soloist among the Denver-area Adventist churches and a member of the Denver South church choir for decades.

She was proud of her secretarial skills, honed as a girl while typing her father’s sermons and later earned herself a position as the assistant to the head of American Bus Lines by virtue of her shorthand skills. Although she never finished nurse’s training, she channeled her passion for wellness and her business savvy into many sales ventures over the course of her life, and she was proud of the healing she was able to share with her loved ones as a result.

Her kitchen and pantry were legendary. She opened her heart and home to many, providing refuge and sour cream to all who entered. She was always excited about trying and serving new recipes from many different cultures. Her kitchen was filled with  the latest and greatest gadgets and her cupboards with every imaginable ingredient.

Family and friends will remember her loving and open heart, her warm embrace, and her contagious laughter. She made friends absolutely everywhere she went, and she made sure that everyone–from the Costco pharmacy guy to her hairdresser–knew how much she loved her grandkids. She was the human rolodex for her family and beyond, maintaining close relationships with distant relatives and describing everyone as a cousin. Through her vibrant stories, she reminded everyone that we are all connected.

Her surviving grandchildren will fondly remember the days they spent cooking family suppers and baking bread with her. Donnis was an enthusiastic participant in their homeschooling, recording countless episodes of cooking shows and talk shows to provide the kind of education you just can’t find in a textbook. She never missed a musical or theater performance and ate up every detail of their now adult lives.

While 92 years young, Donnis was in reasonably good health prior to contracting COVID-19 sometime in November. Her family cherished weekly Sabbath dinners until her period of quarantine and hospitalizations. Her subsequent stroke and sudden passing came as a devastating shock. She will be greatly missed!

Services to celebrate Donnis’ life will be delayed due to the risks of the ongoing pandemic.