Denika Jo Hess

Denika Jo Hess (Blysma) was a true Colorado native, born in Denver on January 19, 1977. As a child, Denika loved dance, competing in pageants, and was always surrounded by horses, including her very own horse, Sheena. She graduated from Chatfield High School.

As a young adult, Denika fell in love with motocross and not only raced, but also worked in the industry at both Colorado PowerSports and Fay Meyers. Denika became a mother to Samantha in 2003, and met Troy in Thornton, CO in 2006. They instantly connected over motorcycles as they both owned Harleys and loved to ride.

Troy and Denika were married in 2008, and Troy adopted Samantha as they became a family. The next year, they joyfully welcomed Dalton. 

In 2014, the family moved to Aurora, CO to raise a family. At this time, Denika was working for Cherry Creek School District at both Peakview Elementary and Eaglecrest High School. She loved working with the kids and she was loved by all who crossed paths with her in the district. 

Denika enjoyed camping and wildlife more than anything, and she was always so excited to see her favorites - moose and hummingbirds. Her favorite place to camp was Winding River Resort near Grand Lake.

Denika has historical ties to the Dutch, and had always dreamed of visiting Amsterdam someday. When Troy's job took him to Europe in 2022, Denika and Dalton were able to make that dream a reality. She commemorated the trip by getting a tattoo of a pair of wooden shoes on her arm.

Denika is preceded in death by her mother, Katherine, and her sister, Amanda, and is survived by her husband Troy, daughter Sam, son Dalton, along with her father, Gary, and sister, Juliana. 

A Celebration of Denika's Life will be held on Friday, December 13, at 1:00 PM, at Horan & McConaty 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave., Aurora, 80014. A Memorial Reception will immediately follow the service at our Heartlight Reception Center, at the same address.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to further the kids' education at the following link: https://www.giveinkind.com/inkinds/G9Y2T7R/love-and-support-for-the-hess-family-for-denika-

CLICK HERE to be redirected to the livestream of the service.