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LUCY ELIZABETH Age 89, died September 4, 2012 at her home in Albuquerque. Lucy Elizabeth Allan was born March 27, 1923 in Tuttle, ND, the youngest of seven children born to Fred and Mamie (Shier) Allan. Lucy's father was a pharmacist, and her first work experience was helping her dad at his drugstore. She was educated in Tuttle, graduating from Tuttle High School in 1941. Lucy married Glen E. Wick on October 19, 1941 in a double wedding with her sister Marge and her fianc Gilbert Shirley. Both grooms were natives of neighboring Robinson, ND and were home on leave from Camp Claiborne, LA where they were in training with the United States Army. Seven weeks after the double wedding the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. North Dakota's 164th infantry was sent to The Dalles, OR where the immediate assignment was to guard Bonneville Dam and other important facilities from a possible Japanese attack. Lucy and Marge were able to join their husbands in The Dalles for what turned out to be an almost pleasant non-event in World War II, but by the summer of 1942 their husbands were en route to Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and the Philippines "for the duration". As war widows, Lucy and Marge made their way back to Bismarck, ND where they found employment with the A. W. Lucas department store, serving as sales clerks and models for Lucas newspaper ads. Glen and Lucy were reunited in early 1945 in Spokane, WA where Glen was admitted to Letterman General Hospital to recover from tropical diseases he had been stricken with while on Bougainville. After recovery and discharge from the Army they returned to Bismarck where Glen began a 32 year career with the Benson Optical Company. Glen was transferred to Billings, MT in 1948, returning to Bismarck in 1951. When their son started school, Lucy decided to become a working mom. She joined Vantine's Paint & Glass in 1954, serving as office manager for the flagship Bismarck store until 1968, the year that Glen was again transferred, this time to Albuquerque, NM. In Albuquerque Lucy became a housewife, but that didn't satisfy her industrious work ethic. She became intrigued with all sorts of crafts, at first concentrating on Ojo de Deos (Eyes of God), a local native symbol made of wood and yarn. Lucy made and sold enough Ojos that she was able to finance the purchase of a new Mercury Montego in 1972. Glen retired from Benson Optical in 1978, six weeks after the birth of his grandson Scott, and joined Lucy in what would become a "mom and pop" craft hobby/business. They designed and made a wide variety of country-styled wooden items. Glen literally wore out one bandsaw and many blades on a second commercial quality bandsaw, while Lucy handled most of the paintwork. When not working with wooden crafts, Lucy made literally hundreds of needlepoint Christmas ornaments. It is known that many of these ornaments remain in use throughout the United States. Shortly after moving to Albuquerque Lucy met Juli Lowey, her backyard neighbor at the time. Lucy was 45 and had a son about to graduate from college while Juli was a generation younger, just starting her family. And they shared a common interest - contract bridge. Lucy was invited to join their bridge club. Juli, Joan Reynolds, Sharon Hagenbuck, Janis Purcell, Rose Lane, Mary Stiles, Linda Connors, Betty Brooks, Sara Henderson, Cindy Wood, and others would be regulars of the club for over four decades, rarely missing a month without playing. The bridge gals, as they were known, would make a number of group trips over the years as the group evolved into more than just a bridge club. Lucy continued to play bridge until June 2012, actually winning high honors in what would prove to be her last bridge outing. Glen Wick died in 1995, and Lucy made the decision to stay in Albuquerque, desiring to continue living in the house that had been her home since 1969. She enjoyed excellent health until about age 85 when failing eyesight, diminished hearing, heart disease, and other ailments began to make this more and more of a challenge. Her immediate family was 1200 miles away, but the bridge gals along with a combination of close friends and neighbors would become her guardian angels, helping with all sorts of things to allow Lucy to live her dream, living independently in her home as long as possible. A health crisis in 2010 resulted in meeting Melissa Sandoval, a home health care nurse who happened to live just two blocks away. Her daughter Amanda, later joined by younger daughter Allyson, would become additional care givers, and they would become a virtual part of Lucy's family. And starting in July 2012 a number of Hospice personnel would become part of Lucy's life. Despite all sorts of physical ailments Lucy's mind was sharp to the end, and with her vibrant personality and positive outlook she became a favorite of the Hospice crew. And this admiration was two-way. Lucy Wick is survived by her son Doug, daughter-in-law Fran, and grandson Scott, all of Bismarck, ND. Other survivors include sisters-in-law Mavis Allan of Dickinson, ND and Gladys Wick of Robinson, ND; nieces Barbara (Ralph) Angus of Washington, WV, Nancy (Dennis) Alfton of Golden Valley, MN, Jill (Doug) Joersz of Bismarck, Deb (Virgil) Wisdom of Washburn, ND, and Sarah Bowerman of Wilton, ND; nephews Bob (Paulette) Allan of Dickinson, Stephen, Tim, and Scott Wilson of West Virginia, Bob (LaDonna) Bowerman of Robinson, ND, and Donnie and Mitch Wick of Dawson, ND; and numerous grand nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Glen; sisters Marjorie "Marge" (Gilbert) Shirley and Mildred "Jeanie" (Paul) Wilson; an infant brother along with brothers Robert V. Allan, George Allan, and Pete (Jeanne) Allan; infant nephew/niece twins, and nephews Rev. Tom Allan and Rick Bowerman. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Presbyterian Hospice, 8100 Constitution Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held in Bismarck at a later date, and burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.com. Daniels Family Funeral Services 3113 Carlisle Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87110 505-884-1188
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WICK 