Memorial Tribute

    Felicitas “Leslie” Cruz Frick, daughter of Bonifacio and Perla (Villanueva) Cruz, was born December 26, 1959, in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines. She spent her childhood years in Dumaguete City and received her education from Silliman University High School, graduating with the class of 1976. She then attended Silliman University College where she obtained a degree in Biology in 1980. She continued her education at the Cebu Institute of Medicine, graduating in 1984 and passing the medical board exam a year later.

    Before coming to the United States, she was a pediatric resident physician at Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital from 1985-1994. In 1992, she started writing letters to Donnie Frick of Hartley, Iowa. During the Superbowl game in January of 1993, Donnie called Leslie in the middle of the halftime show and proposed. August 21st of that same year was the first day they met in person at the Manila International Airport. They were united in marriage in Dumaguete City on August 28, 1993. Donnie and Leslie arrived in the United States on March 11, 1994, and celebrated their marriage in Hartley, Iowa the following April.

    Leslie spent the rest of her life in Hartley, raising her only daughter, Cassie, along with Donnie. She worked hard and became an American citizen in 2002. She was a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ, where she played in the praise band and was an active, faithful Christian. Her favorite things to do were karaoke with her best friends, Filipino potlucks, reading murder mysteries, doing puzzles with Donnie, and going to the casino. She also loved planning and going on trips as a family. Her recent ventures included a vacation to the Philippines, going to Las Vegas to watch the Iowa State Cyclones football team, taking a cruise to the eastern Caribbean, and of course, visiting Cassie, Jack and newborn, Emma in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Leslie was the most loving wife, mother, grandmother, and tita Les to her extended family.

    On December 21, 2025, Leslie passed from this life at the age of 65 years, after a long, well-fought battle against cancer. She has joined loved ones who have passed before her: her parents; her parents-in-law; and one sister.

    Leslie is lovingly remembered by her husband, Donnie; their daughter, Cassie (Jack) Brooks, and granddaughter, Emma Brooks; two brothers: Ramel (Celena) Cruz, and Bonny (Rowena) Cruz; three sisters-in-law: Phyllis (Alan) Patten, Donna (Richard) Hansen, and Merna Rae (Greg) Danko; many nieces and nephews; other relatives, extended Filipino family and dear friends.