Lead, South Dakota – Krista Kay Wenzel, passed away on February 9, 2021. She was born November 28, 1964 in Lusk, Wyoming, daughter of George H. Wenzel and Theola Elizabeth (Meyer) Wenzel.

She attended the Wessington Springs elementary and high school, graduating in 1983. After graduation she attended South Dakota State University and active with Air Force ROTC program, graduating in 1987 with a Mechanical Engineering degree. After graduation she continued to pay it forward through the SDSU Dean's Club Scholarship. A lifelong learner, she earned the following degrees – 1993 Squadron Officer School (completed by correspondence); 1995 Master of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering/Health Physics, University of Florida; 2000 Air Command and Staff College (completed by seminar); 2004 Air War College (completed by correspondence).

Krista's professional memberships and certifications include Certified Health Physicists, American Academy of Health Physics; Member, Health Physics Society; Toastmaster's International, Competent Toastmaster; Member, Phi Kappa Phi, National Honor Society; and Member, Pi Tau Sigma, National Honorary Mechanical Engineering Fraternity. She was Past-President of the Central Rocky Mountain Chapter Health Physics Society.

Krista received a military commission and proudly served in the United States Air Force throughout several bases in the United States, Greece, Germany, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2008. During her 20 year career, she served as Assistant Chief (1988-1990), Bioenvironmental Engineering, USAF Clinic Norton, Norton, AFB; Chief (1990-1991), Bioenvironmental Engineering, 7206 ^th Air Base Group Hospital, Hellenikon, Greece; Student (1993-1995), Air Force Institute of Technology, University of Florida; Chief (1995-1998) Radiation Protection Branch, 96 ^th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida; Chief (1998-2000) Radiological Health Division; Bioenvironmental Engineering Officer Course Instructor, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB, Texas; Chief (2000-2001) Health Physics Consulting Branch, Air Force Institute for Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health and Risk Assessment, Brooks, AFB, Texas;  Aerospace Medicine flight Commander (2001-2004) Chief, Bioenvironmental Engineering, 28 ^th Medical Operations Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota (deployed Nov 02- May 03 to Oman and Kyrgyzstan); Chief, (2004-2006) Crew Health Protection, Human Systems Integration Division, Air Combat Command Directorate of Requirements, Langley, AFB, Virginia; and Senior Staff Scientist, (2006-2008) AF Force Protection Battlelab, Lackland AFB, Texas.

She was the recipient of several awards and citations during her distinguished career, including Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters; Air Force Achievement Medal;  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor with 3 oak leaf clusters; Air Force Organizational Excellence Award; Air Force Recognition Ribbon; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal and Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksman Ribbon.

Her family attended her 2008 graduation (retirement) party and she began her second career as a healthy physicist and firewoman. She settled in the Casper, Wyoming area and most recently settled into her home in Spearfish Canyon. As a health physicist she worked for global uranium mining companies. She was also the Manager of the Environment, Health, and Safety Department at the Cameco Smith Ranch/Highland Uranium Processing mines in Wyoming. Next, she was the Unit Head of Radiation Safety Technical Services, International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria from 2013 to 2017. Most recently Senior Health Physicist with Tetra Tech Incorporated, Oakland, California.

She loved the outdoors and could be found running in all weather conditions and landscapes from the Alps to the prairies of South Dakota. She will be fondly remembered for running in marathons throughout Europe and the United States as well as sailing and skiing – the activities also gave her time with dear friends. She is also a founding member of the Pink Zink Sailing Club, Greece. Krista was always ready to travel with her many friends and colleagues – it would be her wish when you travel to have fun and enjoy the adventure, explore.

Krista is survived by her dogs, Rudy and Davey; father, George H. Wenzel and his fur baby, Ruff; sister, Debra Wenzel and her son, Courtney (Danielle Heisler, fur babies: Kona and Kai) Wenzel; sister, Laura (Tim) Jackson and their children Paul (Katie, Holden Will, Grace & Violet) Jackson; Leah (Corey and Everly) Jungemann; Eric (Devena) Jackson and Renee (Cody, Jackson, and Ivy) Gerbracht. She is also survived by her aunt and uncle, Dorothy and Edward Travnicek and their children, Julie (Jamey, Cole, and Jameson) Travnicek-Burnes and Andy (Sandy) Travnicek. Additionally, first cousins, Kelly Burrows and Uncle Darrell's children.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Theola; maternal grandparents Ted and Leah Meyer; paternal grandparents Joe and Olive Wenzel; uncles, Darrell Wenzel and Joe Wenzel, Jr; first cousin, Gary Wenzel; step-mother, Addie "Tingle" Wenzel and her beloved dogs, Theo, Kaiser, Sarge, Bennie, Knickers and Cissy.

Funeral services with full military honors will be held on June 18, 2021 at 2:30 pm at the Black Hills National Cemetery. In memorial the family requests supporting your local Humane Society, plant a tree, take a hike or support the SDSU College of Engineering mechanical engineering academic scholarship fund.

Arrangements are under the care of the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com