Della Ann Wickes

Della was born in Garnett Kansas to Edna (Cronin) Wickes Stichweh and Legrand Wickes. Della spent her childhood in Watertown South Dakota moving to Nebraska with her family after high school beginning her adult life there. In 1979 Della relocated to Colorado with her then husband and children for a job opportunity of his and ended up staying, calling Colorado home.

Della is known by her family as a strong independent woman who was affectionately referred to as their matriarch having raised 3 children independently as well as helping raise a grandchild. She was intelligent and hard working, did not give up easily, and taught herself the necessary skills to obtain her first library position in Nebraska-a dream job for her as she loved to read. Della eventually settled in Longmont in 1982 where she began working for the Longmont Public Library from where she retired almost 30 years later.

Della was also known for her kindness and generosity, always willing to help someone in need, always putting herself in someone else’s shoes. She taught her children to be respectful of others, that all people are equal. If Della saw a homeless person she was digging in her wallet for money to give, never questioned what it would be used for-just gave. Della had so much empathy for others that at times she would cry watching the news, she’d pray for people she didn’t know. A former pastor once described someone as living life as though they had no skin, this describes Della-she felt everything. Della was forgiving, accepting, loving, and nonjudgmental. She was a beautiful example for her family and will be sorely missed.

Della was preceded in death by her parents Edna Marie (Cronin) Wickes Stichweh and Legrand Wickes, her sisters Marilyn (Wickes) McCaslin and Judy (Wickes) Aseltine, and her son-in-law Chuck Ward. She is survived by 1 brother: Jim Wickes 3 daughters: Cynthia (Lorenzen) Gaytan, Kathryn (Lorenzen) Ward, and Crystal Rippen 6 grandchildren: Jamie (Ward) Diekman, Kaitlyn Gaytan, Joey Gaytan, Tori Orozco-Rippen, Revae (Ward) Fraire, and Victoria Ward 3 great grand children: Lillyan Diekman, Allyson Diekman, and Cassiel Gaytan.

Services were held at Ahlberg Funeral Home as follows:

Visitation Monday 7/31/2023 from 3:00-6:00pm

Memorial with reception to follow 8/1/2023 at 1:00pm