Astrid "Vickie" Hadeen was born Jan. 10, 1938 and went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Dec. 30, 2023.

She was born at Good Samaritan Hospital in Sterling into a Swedish heritage. Vickie's father Bernard Franson made the voyage across the Atlantic Ocean aboard the ship Oceania and into Ellis Island at 19 years old settling in the Fairfield Community in Haxtun. He married Mable "Linnea" Sandquist in 1936. Linnea passed away when she was just two years old. Her father adoringly raised her along with the help of her grandparents; John and Hedie Sandquist. Many housekeepers came and went until she was seven years old when her father Bernard married Mae Skipworth. Vickie felt very blessed and had high hopes for many brothers and sisters, but she remained an only child.

Vickie attended Fairfield Grade School then proceeded to Haxtun High School where she graduated valedictorian, at the top of her class in 1955. When Vickie was a sophomore in high school, a Sadie Hawkins dance was highly anticipated and excitement was in the air; Vickie had her eye on the neighbor boy, Harold Hadeen. She had the courage to ask him to escort her and he immediately said, yes!

Vickie headed to college at Swedish Covenant Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, IL graduating in 1958.

Vickie and Harold joined their hands in holy matrimony on Oct. 25, 1958 at the Fairfield Covenant Church. She remembers receiving her diamond in the last nine months of her nurses training, only to find out that Harold would still be at sea in the Navy when their wedding date was planned. Fortunately, they were able to change the dates on the invitations and all ended well for 65 years. Then off to San Diego, California for nine months while Harold finished active duty in the Navy. Vickie worked at a little osteopathic hospital close to their apartment in 0B and Med/Surg. It was like an extended honeymoon, work and sightseeing intermingled. Following that began the rest of their life on the farm and in the community that Harold and Vickie were raised in.

Harold and Vickie set out to establish their first home at the Franson homestead. Painting the inside and out her favorite color, mint green. She painted not just the house, but the barn and all the outbuildings. Harold and Vickie raised their three children; Ruth Ann, Mary Lynn and Steven at this farm surrounded by a good church family, good school and great friends. Then in 1972 they moved to a larger home five miles southeast. Vickie again set to work painting the house and outbuildings the mint green with siding bought to match.

Vickie worked as a Registered Nurse at the Haxtun Hospital District for 40 years; she covered 0B, OR, Med/Surg., ER and ICU. After working 12-hour shifts, she felt like the longer shifts were for the younger nurses, but she continued teaching CNA and prenatal classes to the community. Vickie brought health and wellness to Haxtun with 9News Health Fair for many years. Vickie received many awards and honors during her tenure including a Nightingale Award. She was blessed to have been the Registered Nurse on duty to deliver all her grandchildren at Haxtun Hospital, except for one that was born in Missouri, but Vickie was present in Missouri for this birth as well.

In 1997 Vickie found her dream home in the town of Haxtun and she and Harold retired in their newly painted mint green home, inside and out. Vickie and Harold loved to travel. Together they visited Sweden, Israel, Hawaii, the Caribbean and all but nine states. They especially enjoyed taking their fifth wheel camper to the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Vickie grew up and attended Fairfield Covenant Church since birth. Having the heart of a servant and was very hard working and active, passionate and creative. She served faithfully as a board member on many boards including the ladies aid, the Haxtun School board and the Haxtun Hospital board; member of the Gideon women auxiliary, bringing her faith with her to all her endeavors. Vickie was a Prayer Warrior, praying for many as she was caregiving at church, home or on the job. Vickie taught Vacation Bible School, Sunday school and many Bible Studies. Twenty-five years of assisting the Haxtun Community with various projects and participating in the Haxtun Corn Festival as Grand Marshall in 2005.

Vickie had many talents; she was an active farm wife who enjoyed gardening, canning and sewing for her family. Her family would say her cooking skills were the best. She could bake and cook all day. Making and decorating themed birthday cakes for all her children and grandchildren. As a young girl she was taught to speak fluently in Swedish. All her children and grandchildren would remember her "Rita Rita Runkin" song that she would sing in Swedish.

Her legacy as a RN lives on in her two granddaughters, Chelsea Koberstein and Kimber Mason filling her heart with love. She was very blessed by all her children and grandchildren and their vast accomplishments. She would ask each one many questions, thoroughly enjoying and hearing about each detail of their lives.

In June of 2022 in declining health, Vickie and Harold chose to move to The Carriage House, assisted living in Holyoke Colorado. For the next 18 months, she enjoyed many activities and friendships with the residents and staff, receiving excellent care. This allowed Vickie and Harold to remain independent and flourish in their surroundings. J ust before their arrival a surprise awaited her ... a living room wall painted mint green just for her.

Vickie never knew a stranger, making friends easily. She had a big heart and was always eager to help. If you knew her, you were called her friend.

Vickie is survived by her husband Harold of 65 years; children Ruth Ann Engel and husband Robin, Mary Lynn Ditter and husband Greg, Steven Hadeen and wife Christine; grandchildren Dominick Collier and wife Christina, Chelsea

Koberstein and husband Corey, Shane Ditter and wife Leslie, Tara Fisher and husband Matt, Micah Ditter and fiancé Samantha Hernandez, Kimber Mason and husband Trent, Elizabeth Carper and husband Doug, MegAnn Mari and husband Blake, Kristopher Hadeen and fiancé Rebecca Brom; great-grandchildren; McKenna, Daisy, Abigail, Ava, Farrah, Genevieve, Brady and Nina, Jesse, Desirae, Kolt, Alexis, Maddison, Logan, Krista and Halley; sister-in-law Ruby Colclasure; nieces Diane Hadeen and Lori Favero and husband Rob; nephews Ron Colclasure and wife Cheryl and Wayne Hadeen; as well as their dear exchange student from Sweden, Mikael Kautsky and husband Chris and their family, Lydia, Myles and Gavin.

Vickie is preceded in death by her parents Linnea, Bernard and Mae Franson; in-laws Herman and Hazel Hadeen; brothers-in-law Doyle Hadeen, Ron Hadeen and John Colclasure; and sister-in-law, Bernice Hadeen.

Memorials can be made to Fairfield Covenant Church, at 17610 County Road 40, Haxtun, CO 80731.

A Celebration was held at Fairfield Covenant Church on Jan. 5. Interment followed at Fairfield Cemetery.