Yvonne Joyce Wick

Yvonne Wick passed away on March 17, 2011 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She had been a resident of Brookdale Assisted Care since 2002. Yvonne was born in Primghar, Iowa on June 5, 1923. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Roland Wick Sr. (Bud). She is survived by her son Roland Wick Jr, daughter-in law Mary Ann Wick, and grandchildren Roland Wick III and Julie Wick of Colorado Springs.

Yvonne grew up in Sioux City, Iowa. Iowa and was deeply shaped by the great depression. Because of her difficult circumstances, she started on a path of hard work and education to improve her life. She persevered and went to college at Iowa State Teachers College where she started on lifetime of study and following her graduation, a career in teaching school. She also met and married Bud. They were married in 1942 and had a long and wonderful life until Bud’s death in 2010. Bud started teaching in Dysart, Iowa and Yvonne in Lamont, Iowa. They loved that wonderful early time even though World War II had caused a spartan life style.

They had been married a little over 2 years when their life changed dramatically. Bud was wounded in Germany. This event brought Yvonne and Bud even closer and showed the tenacious side of her personality. She dedicated herself to Bud and was always by his side. In June of 1948, their son Roland Jr. was born. In addition to being a wife and mother, she knew that women could be strong and develop unique and serious careers and lives of their own. The family moved to Alamosa in 1956 where Bud became the Chairman of the Business Division at Adams State College. Yvonne kept studying and received her BA and MA in education from Adams State College. She began teaching at the elementary school in Center, Colorado, then moved to Eastside School in Alamosa. She was an inspirational teacher and taught music, reading, arts, and language. Yvonne loved children as if they were her own and knew their education was the key to a better future. She helped develop the first Head Start program in Alamosa as well as guiding many college students into a lifetime of teaching. When she retired, Yvonne was teaching the third generation of children from many families in Alamosa.

Yvonne had many interests besides her teaching. She was incredibly creative and loved painting and music. Yvonne liked to hike, golf, and to be outdoors with her friends. Bud and Yvonne also loved entertaining and developed many lifelong friends in Alamosa and the San Luis Valley. They were at peace in the San Luis Valley and only left in 1991 so Bud could get be outside more and be closer to Veterans care in Tucson, AZ. Alamosa was always home and their first love, but they quickly made many great friends in Green Valley, as well. They both moved to Colorado Springs in 2002 for added health needs where they spent their final years close to family.

Her life is a wonderful rags to riches tale. She was a strong woman and never settled for less than the best. She stood by her husband and loved him deeply. She also had strong career and life goals of her own. She was passionate about her grand children and her family. She brought great joy, kindness, and inspiration to everyone she met.

The legacy she left for everyone; her children, grandchildren, friends and uncountable students, was showing them all the importance of education, hard work, and never settle for less than your personal best. She taught us to always work to improve our community. Yvonne lived those values and indeed, did leave the world a better place through her tireless work in education and the love she gave to her family and friends.

There will be a gravesite Celebration of Life at the City of Alamosa Cemetery on April 2, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers please make any donations to the Lucero Project at the Adams State College Foundation or donate to your favorite educational institution.

Arrangements under the direction of Swan-Law Funeral Directors, Colorado Springs, CO.