Teresa Hickman Wasikowski

Teresa (Hickman) Wasikowski

Born September 7, 1944; Died April 3, 2026

Teresa was the 7th of 10 children born to parents Paul and Dorothy Hickman in Yuma, CO. Like most of the Hickman kids, Teresa learned to ride a horse before pedaling a bicycle, as she grew up on a farm at the edge of town with a horse-loving father and participated in regular western riding events.

Like all but one of her siblings (not yet born at the time), Teresa was struck with polio in the summer of 1952, and worked hard to recover her muscle strength after leaving Children’s Hospital with seemingly endless exercises using old irons and rope strung through pulleys. She carried polio-related aftereffects throughout her life; her fierce determination and fighting spirit never let this disease limit what she could achieve.

Teresa’s father died when she was 13, and she joined other siblings in picking up even more chores and kitchen duties, along with riding herd on her little sister, as her mother took on two jobs: running the family trucking company and teaching high school. There was still time for reading and a few close friends in those childhood years.

Teresa graduated from Yuma High School as class valedictorian in 1962. She then moved to Omaha where she joined the Sisters of Mercy and trained as a nun. Simultaneously, she studied at Creighton University, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business in 1967. After leaving the ministry, she worked full-time while studying for her Master of Accounting degree which she earned in 1971. She deftly applied her expertise through a decades-long career as a finance manager for AT&T, Northwestern Bell, US West, and finally Qwest.

Teresa met Lawrence on a blind date set up by future brother-in-law Father Ron and Terry’s best friend Kitty. They married on December 23, 1977, and remained together until his death on May 31, 2014.

Teresa was devoted to her family and friends. She supported her children’s education through many years of service on their elementary school’s PTO, including terms as President and Secretary. She cheered for her kids at competitive math events; show choir festivals; soccer games; high school, USS, and collegiate swim meets; rowing competitions, and cycling races. She focused her later years on her grandchildren, including attending baby showers, Hanukkah celebrations, preschool graduations, and many birthday parties. She took on an essential parenting role for her granddaughter Helena. She was always generous with her time and support, even later in life when she could no longer travel and directly participate.

Teresa was a life-long worshiper in the Catholic Church. Apart from her time as a novice nun, she was a parishioner of St. Gerald’s Church for over 40 years.

Teresa was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her siblings JoAnn, Eileen, Gene, Mary Kathleen, Carol Lynn, and Joseph; and her parents-in-law Joseph and Antoinette.

Teresa is survived by her siblings Richard, Robert, and Elizabeth; her first son Joseph, his wife Lisa, and their daughter Helena; her second son Michael, his wife Katie, and their daughter Sadie; her brother-in-law (Father) Ron; and many extended family members and friends.

The Wasikowskis invite friends and family to join them for visitation on Thursday, 4/23 from 5-7pm at Bethany Funeral Home in La Vista, NE; a prayer service will follow. Father Ron will preside over a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, 4/24 from 9-10am at St. Gerald’s Catholic Church at 96th and Q Streets in Omaha, NE. Teresa will be buried on 4/24 at 11am at the Omaha National Cemetery in Sarpy County. She will rest in peace next to her dear husband. The family will hold a luncheon at St. Gerald’s after burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the Siena Francis House, Food Bank for the Heartland, or your local chapter of the Imagination Library.