Ursula Elisabeth Frick

Ursula Elisabeth Frick, beloved wife and mother, passed from this life peacefully in her home on the morning of February 9. She was born Ursula Elisabeth Lina Hess in Zurich, Switzerland, the older of two girls, to Lina and Karl Hess. She was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her husband Martin, sister Rita Lutz, son Markus, and daughter Christine Shine (Les).

After the untimely death of Ursula’s father at age six, her mother temporarily moved the family to her own home town of Eglisau on the Rhine River before returning to the cosmopolitan environment of Zurich. Living in close proximity to the border with Germany during World War II, young Ursula’s life was occasionally disrupted by the terrifying sound of a bombing mission. After finishing compulsory schooling, she enrolled in a business college and was on track to becoming a career woman. While attending an evening French language course a handsome classmate named Martin was to alter her future path, but not before she first accepted a work assignment in western Switzerland to further polish her language skills in this French-speaking region of the country. In 1955 Ursula and Martin married and she settled into her new life as wife and mother. Son Markus followed in 1956 and daughter Christine in 1960. In 1963 Martin accepted a position with the Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway and the young family made the bold leap of emigrating to the United States, where Ursula found ample opportunities to pursue new interests. Many a winter afternoon was spent perfecting her technique on the slopes of Ski Broadmoor, yet she somehow always managed to have dinner ready for her family on schedule. Summers found her on the tennis court, where she easily embarrassed her son by defeating him in singles play. As her children became more independent, hiking excursions took her further afield and she summited 15 of Colorado’s fourteeners with her companions Nina and Howard. With all the demands of raising a family she still found time to volunteer, work on elections, and pursue temporary employment.

In 1967 Ursula and her sister were delighted to be reunited when Rita, who had emigrated in 1959 to Los Angeles, relocated to Denver with her family. The closer proximity of the families facilitated frequent visits and lasting memories of cherished holiday celebrations.

After Martin’s retirement in 1991 the couple traveled extensively and completed a fascinating around-the-world trip, visiting many of the exact locations which Martin’s father had toured in 1901. Numerous summers were spent in Switzerland, reconnecting with friends and relatives and rediscovering the country of their youth. One such vacation included the added excitement of a transatlantic crossing by sea. Winters always found them back in their Colorado Springs home, visiting their children, and enjoying the countless friendships made over the years. They rarely missed a performance by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, having begun attending concerts of its predecessor orchestra when the venue was Palmer High School’s auditorium.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Swan-Law.com for the Frick family.