Wilma Jean Nick

1940 - 2025

Wilma Jean Nick (Fraser), 84, was born Sept. 17, 1940, in Plankinton, South Dakota. The youngest of six children, she grew up on the family farm and was active in 4H and her community.
Valedictorian of her graduating high school class, Wilma went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from Dakota Wesleyan University. Upon graduation, Wilma struck out on her own, traveling to Denver, Colorado where she was soon employed at University Hospital. Originally working as a labor and delivery nurse, she quickly realized that her passion lay more in caring for the preemies she helped deliver. She transferred to the hospital's NICU department where she spent the next 30 years caring for some of the most vulnerable newborns.
While tagging along with some friends to a Young Republicans mixer (an odd place for a registered Democrat), Wilma's life once again took an unexpected turn. As her friends began gathering their coats to leave, Wilma noticed a handsome man, shyly staring at her from across the room. "You go ahead," she told her friends. "I'm going to stick around and see what happens next."
What happened "next" was 58 years of marriage to Lynn Nick, three children and four grandchildren. The couple made their home in Brighton where Lynn taught at the high school, designing and building the house that they still call home with help from many of Lynn's colleagues from the engineering and CTE departments.
Family was a cornerstone of Wilma's life. She spent much of her retirement tracing her Fraser and Nick genealogies - examining lineages, forgotten stories and even discovering a few celebrity family tree branches, including a connection to the poet Emily Dickinson.
Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She delighted in spending time with them, including traveling to Texas to witness first days of school, hosting tea parties, and supervising the construction of many a pillow fort.
In addition to being a dedicated nurse, Wilma was also a talented artist, crafter and seamstress. The various Halloween costumes and doll clothes she constructed for her family over the years were legendary.
She also loved traveling – whether it was to visit family in South Dakota, Oregon and Nebraska, or exploring a new city or amusement park. Wilma never met a roller coaster she didn't like, and it was a loss when her body could no longer tolerate the jarring of the rides. Now that she is free of those physical constraints, we are sure she is riding every roller coaster she can in Heaven.
Wilma is survived by her husband of 58 years, Lynn; sons, Brad (Rhonda) and Steven (Christy); daughter Stacy (Robert); along with four grandchildren: Lindsey (Dylan), Robert, Rory and Emma. She is preceded in death by her father, William; mother Emma (Belding); along with siblings Dale, Bud, June, Ruth and Earl.