Lora Hickethier

 

Lora Kay Hickethier, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her loving family on October 9, 2023.

 

She was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota and moved to Colorado in 1963 with her family shortly after her 6th birthday. Lora was the third of seven children born to Fred and Jean Forseth. She grew up loving her large family where many happy days were spent in the forest, at the beach, at brunch or in the bleachers watching one sibling or another competing in various sporting endeavors.

 

Lora graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver where she was proud to qualify for the musical performance group MacGreggor’s Beggars and performed with the Colorado All State Choir. She met the love of her life, Mark, during her freshman year at the University of Northern Colorado and they were engaged a year later. She graduated from UNC with a BSN in 1980 and compiled a considerable number of nursing certifications throughout her career.

 

Around the time Lora was in middle school, her mother was diagnosed with ALS and she, along with her older siblings, stepped up to help care for her mom and four younger sibs. She enjoyed learning to prepare family meals and to provide care for the others. Lora became known in family circles as the all-star caregiver for her mother. It seemed a natural fit for her to be drawn toward a career in nursing, which she pursued with the passion, love, intuitiveness, and reassuring smile that could only be found in someone who was called to that purpose. Lora was proud to be recognized for her expertise and to receive Sky Ridge’s HealthOnederful award, as well as be asked to be a presenter at national nursing conventions.

 

Lora loved the people in her life and was quick to embrace them. The four and five year olds she taught in Sunday School would continue to seek her out for hugs long after they’d graduated from her class. She loved to sing and was always happy to participate in weddings and honored to perform at funerals. As one who trusted and loved Jesus deeply, she was thrilled to be a member of the Billy Graham Crusade Choir. Even in her last months, short of breath as was, she loved to sing along with Mark’s ukulele. Lora was always at her most content at home with an Irish Cream by her side, her iPad set on game mode, the Hallmark Channel on the TV and the grandkids or puppies nestled in her lap.

 

She loved life in general and lived it to the fullest. A game night with friends and family was always a raucous affair filled with choice snacks, warmth and hilarity. While still healthy, she enjoyed hiking, camping and fishing. She loved smoked salmon after first tasting it at her little brother’s wedding. Later in life as she traveled more, the time spent with the friends and family spread throughout the country as well as Europe and Mexico became part of the treasured tapestry of her memories. She made sure that trips with the children to Disneyland, SeaWorld, Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, Washington DC, New York City and more were always meticulously planned and well executed. A life’s highlight was attained in 2021when Lora and Mark completed their decades-long baseball tour visiting each MLB home baseball park.

 

Lora was preceded in death by her mother Jean and is survived by her husband of 43 years, Mark; their two children, Jessica (Evan) and Matthew (Julia) and two grandchildren, Abbi and Jordan. Her father Fred, siblings Jan (James), Carol (Jeff), Eric (Kim), Ron (Carol), Jay (Lisa), Sandy (Steve) mother-in-law Alice and in-laws Robin (Jim), Dawn (Alan), Kurt (Jennifer) remain to carry forward her special light. Lora is also survived by numerous beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

 

 

Please join the family for the Celebration of Life on Monday, October 30 at 1:30 with a reception following the service.

 

The Celebration of Life will be at

Crossroads Community Church

9900 South Twenty Mile Road

Parker, Colorado 80134

 

The service will be live streamed, the following link will open at 1:20PM on October 30th. Memorial Services on Livestream

 

 

 In lieu of flowers, those who loved Lora are invited to contribute to the

Lora Kay Hickethier Memorial Fund.