Vicki Anne (Krieger) Haenel, 72, passed away December 16, 2023 at Indian Tree Assisted Living in Arvada, CO.  She was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 15, 1951, the only child of William and Mary (Vruno) Krieger.

Vicki was a loyal member of Girl Scout Troop 621 from elementary school and throughout high school.  She sang soprano in the East Angelaires, an elite madrigal group.  Vicki graduated from Denver East High School in 1969.  She then earned her bachelor's degree in English at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

After her eleven-year marriage to Howard Haenel of Santa Fe, New Mexico, she earned a paralegal certificate.  At the Office of Administrative Courts, Denver, CO, Vicki worked as a clerk facilitating the process of setting up administrative hearings.

Vicki's friends appreciated her frequent feisty personality and her off-the-cuff comments that brought humor to the moment.  Vicki was interested in music and art and enjoyed her visits to the Denver Art Museum.  She always loved and nurtured her Beagle rescue dogs; favorites were Ollie and Digby.  She was a cancer survivor.  Vicki looked forward to meeting friends for lunch and was faithful to attend East High reunions.  She was an avid Avalanche fan.  Later in life she was grateful to live in her childhood Victorian home.

At times in Vicki's adult life she courageously struggled with an anxiety disorder which became more pronounced after she retired.  She was always surrounded by family and friends who gave her loving support.  Special recognition is owed to the staff at Indian Tree Assisted Living and to the Namaste Hospice team.

Vicki is survived by four cousins:  Mary Baltz of Denver, CO; Bruce-Elizabeth Frey of Woodbury, CT; Barbara Shaw of Fort Collins, CO; and Candace Shelar of Port St. Lucie, FL.  Also, Vicki's childhood friend for life and "sister", Joyce Hatfield Brooks of Grand Junction, CO.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2023 at 11:00 am at St. John's Cathedral, 1350 N. Washington St., Denver, CO. A lunch reception will begin at 12:30 at Café Mercato, 7561 E. Academy Blvd, Denver, CO, 80230. Please RSVP for the luncheon to Cathy Buchanan, no later than January 10, 2024.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to:

East Angel Friends and Alumni Foundation , PO Box 6015, Denver, CO 80206 (Classes of 67, 68, 69 Scholarship Fund).

Colorado Beagle Rescue , PO Box 2704, Littleton, CO 80161.

Angels Foundation Namaste (Hospice), 6000 E. Evans Avenue, Suite 2-400, Denver, CO 80222.