Heide Karin Picker passed away at home on Sunday, May 4th, 2025. She was born on November 8th, 1939, in Schwetzingen, Germany to Elisabeth and Matthias Sibold. She grew up in Schwetzingen, a beautiful town just south of Heidelberg and after World War II, was privileged to live in the castle with her parents, grandparents and two sisters.
When she was in her teens, a young "American" soldier was touring the castle gardens with his friends and saw Heide and asked her for a guided tour. This American soldier had grown up in North Germany and spoke better German than English at the time. His name was William Picker and they were married within two years in 1959.
Heide moved with Willi to Kansas. They had their sons, Robert (Robby) in 1961 and Ralph in 1965 both born in Manhattan, KS. When Willi got a job with IBM, they moved to Boulder, CO and have lived here ever since.
Heide and Willi developed good friends in the German community and within IBM. These families grew up together which involved pig roasts, camping, dances, and just all-around good times.
She was part of the International Women's Luncheon group and loved being with people of dif ferent nationalities and cultures. She continued to sew and made elaborate costumes for Fasching/Mardi Gras, kids and grandkids play costumes, tents, camping gear, Frostline down coats or just about anything. Her love of plants filled her home with a greenhouse containing some 250+ exotic plants and trees. Her favorite travel adventures included Machu Picchu, Galapagos Islands and diving in the Red Sea.
Most trips were to Schwetzingen, Germany where she loved her family and her hometown. For her 60th Birthday, she rode her bicycle up Vail pass!
She was a fantastic cook and her family always looked forward to her Rouladen and Spaetzle at Christmas time.
Heide is survived by her two sisters Edith Lorentz (Dieter) of Ketsch, Germany, Renate Sibold of Bruehl, Germany, husband, Willi, her son, Rob Picker (Gay) of Superior, her grandchildren Michael Picker (Jessi) of Butte, Montana, and Katie Hansen (Nate) of Wichita, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents Matthias and Elisabeth Sibold and her son Ralph Picker.
A memorial service for Heide will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, June 7th at First United Methodist Church in Boulder (1421 Spr uce St.) where the Pickers have been long-time members.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boulder Homeless Shelter via: https://allroadsboco.org/ways-to-give/.
Mom was non-stop.
She had more energy ever y day than some of us have in a year. She was strong, eager to learn new things and driven; we are going to miss her ever y day.