Denise was born and raised in Oklahoma City — a fact her husband, Bob, never let her forget by affectionately calling her “Okie.” She was the beloved daughter of Alfred H. Klingsick, an Army B-17 instructor pilot, and Lucille “Lucy” Klingsick, and remained close with her mother throughout her life.
Denise and Bob met at an air show in OKC, Bob standing proudly beside his F-15 — she affectionately called him “Flyboy” — fitting, perhaps, for a woman who’d grown up around pilots.
It was the start of 27 years together, spent seeing the world — cruise after cruise, trying their luck at the casino along the way, always exploring somewhere new.
When at home, they loved and adored their long-haired dachshunds. She kept them by her side for decades, most recently her two girls, Samantha and Sasha, now living in her stepdaughter’s loving care.
Denise is preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her brother; her parents, Alfred and Lucy; and her stepfather, Robert Lane. She is survived by her three stepchildren, her step-grandchildren, and her step-great-granddaughter, with another great-grandchild on the way.
Life was not always easy for Denise, but those who loved her choose to remember the best of her: a woman who lit up at the sight of any animal, especially a puppy or a visiting cardinal, who was happiest with a puppy on her lap and her Flyboy at her side. We hold onto these memories, and we hope that she has, at last, found peace.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE
Saturday, October 17, 2026
2:00 PM MST
Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery
7777 W 29th Ave
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Saturday, November 14, 2026
1:00 – 3:00 PM EST
Location TBD
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Operation Home Front at operationhomefront.org
