Lacy Wykert Bearden

Lacy Wykert Bearden, age 59, passed away unexpectedly at her Fort Collins home on Saturday, July 9, 2022. Lacy was born on July 1, 1963, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Paul Vernon and Norma (Pixton) Wykert. She was fortunate to have lived in some of the most beautiful areas of the U.S. Her father was employed by the National Park Service, and Lacy lived with her family in Alexandra, VA; Estes Park, CO; and Santa Fe, NM. After graduating from Santa Fe High School, Lacy attended Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, earning a B.A. in English. After college, she moved to Austin, TX, where she enrolled at the University of Texas and met her future husband, Keith, at the original Whole Food Market, where he was employed. In 1990, they relocated to Boulder, CO, where Keith began attending the University of Colorado, and Lacy began a 20-year career as a librarian at the George Reynolds branch library in Boulder. In addition to circulating books, Lacy designed and constructed book displays, bulletin boards, ran a mother-daughter book club, and visited local schools to read to children. She attended American Library Association (ALA) conferences in Chicago and San Francisco. In January 2011, Lacy received her Master's in Library Science degree from Emporia State University. After 14 years of making their home in Longmont, CO, Keith left his job as an elementary school teacher, accepted a new job, and the couple relocated to Fort Collins. Unfortunately, Lacy was unable to return to work as a librarian. She volunteered for the public library and led youth education groups at the local Gardens on Spring Creek. Lacy was a lover of reading, cooking, music, hiking, camping, and animals. Diagnosed with Type I Diabetes at age 2, Lacy successfully managed the disease using a healthy combination of diet and daily exercise. She logged countless miles walking on the Spring Creek trail each day, where she found peace in nature and cultivated many close friendships. Running into Lacy on her walk was a treat, indeed! Lacy is survived by her husband, Keith Bearden, of Fort Collins, CO, beloved dog, Marmot, mother, Norma Wykert, of Steamboat Springs, CO, brothers Wade Wykert, of Steamboat Springs, CO, and Todd Wykert, of Casper, WY, nieces Caryn Mielke and Kristyn Malone, of Steamboat Springs, niece Amy Raymond, of Casper, WY, and Ryan Wykert, of Portland, OR, and sister-in-law, Cony Pownall, of Laramie, WY. She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Vernon Wykert. A celebration of Lacy’s life will be held in early September in Fort Collins. In lieu of cards or flowers, please consider donating to one of the following organizations: Longmont Humane Society National Parks Conservation Association National Wildlife Federation

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Lacy Wykert Bearden

July 1, 1963 - July 9, 2022