The Nick family moved to Omaha, Nebraska, when Kiki was very young. Her sister Cleo and brother Steve were born in Omaha. Kiki graduated from Millard North High School in 1982. She attended Nebraska Wesleyan University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1986. She was a member of Willard Sorority while attending Wesleyan. Kiki continued her education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduating with a Master of Science in 1987. She became a licensed mental health practitioner and had a varied career with children, teenagers, young adults, and couples.
Kiki married Timothy George Haakenstad on January 13, 1990, in Omaha, Nebraska. They had four children, Ellana Kristina, Alexandra Katerina, Samson Christian, and Victoria Elizabeth.
Kiki was a devout Christian and a proud member of the Greek Dispora. She loved to laugh and joke around and was always on the move and ready to go! She lived life by her own rules and was always searching for the next best thing. Most importantly, she loved spending time with family and friends. Those were her favorite things.
Kiki is preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Helen Nick, and by her husband, Tim Haakenstad. She is survived by her daughters Ellana, Alexandra, and Victoria, son, Sam, sister, Cleo (husband David) Rizos, and brother, Steve Nick.
A memorial service will be held at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 950 N. 63rd Street, Lincoln, on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The burial will follow the service at Cheney Cemetery in Lincoln.
Visitation and Trisagion with family present will begin at 5:00 PM on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Roper and Sons South Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive, Lincoln.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Boys and Girls Club of Lincoln/Lancaster County as a memorial. Helping children was her life’s work.