Danita's Impact

My family moved to Parma when I was just entering the 6th grade. I knew Danita from church mostly. She always had a strong personality which intimidated and overwhelmed me at first. I was shy, introverted, and insecure as a kid. Over the years I grew to admire her. During high school we became close and spent lots of time together. We took a trip to BYU-I because we both thought we'd go to college there. She even convinced me to join her and make a video to apply to a music scholarship to BYU-I. We also sang in a local professional choir together. I always had the choir voice, able to sing any part and blend, but she had that and more. I loved her voice! Once in choir we were rehearsing a Christmas song and the director asked us to sing a new part. We'd been singing Ahhs but we're suddenly sight reading a different part that had words. The words described the sacrifice of Christ and his love for us. As we sang those words we looked at each other and tears were in our eyes. I’ll never forget that.

Danita was misunderstood and mistreated by so many in her life and I feel very lucky to have known and been loved by her. She was my best friend, she was always in my life when I needed her, she had unconditional love for me and so many others, and I’m sad I won’t get to live life with her by my side. However, I feel peace and happiness for her now because she’s no longer in pain. I feel a responsibility to never forget her and help others learn how amazing she was. I will try to post more memories.

I love you Danita.

Bekah R.

Danita was in my graduating class of ROTC at UVU. We spent pretty much our entire college career

together whether that was at morning PT or required labs and classes. We also participated in the

Ranger Challenge and Bataan Ruck March team together. Some of the events we did were grueling but

she never quit and always gave her best effort. She was highly intelligent and would have made an

incredible officer in the Army. She was diagnosed with her cancer just prior to commissioning and I

remember her being devastated the she couldn't stand up on the stage and take the oath of office with

us. What I'm going to miss most was her infectious laugh. After one of our trainings at Fort Carson

Colorado we both discovered, quite painfully, that each of us still had cactus needles stuck in us from

being dragged around on canvas litters. Instead of being angry we laughed as we took turns watching

the other cringe as the next needle was removed. I went through my old ROTC photos and found a few

of her. I represent all of our fellow Wolverines in saying we love you and we miss you.

Chase

Danita was one of the most amazing people I have known. She was filled with so much love. She was

kind, fun, talented, caring, outgoing and so much more. It would make you smile just to hear her laugh. I

can still hear it in my head. I was always secretly a little bit jealous of her because everyone she came

in contact with immediately loved her, including myself. She was one of my best friends, we were each

others maid of honor at our weddings. There was a time she wouldn’t go home for days because she

would stay at my house for so long. I am so grateful for the time I had to know and love her, but I wish I

had more. I wish she had more. She was amazing and deserved to live a long amazing life.

Samantha P.

Danita was about the same age as our son, David, also Danita's cousin. I just

can't believe she is gone. Here are a few photos of the two of them together. As

toddlers and then a recreation of that photo many years later.

Marc P.

One of my most dear memories involving Danita was the day I gave her the nickname of Needee- Needee. I was saying her name "Danita" and telling her that I needed her. I would say "Danita I needee-needee-needee-you!!" as I was hugging her and tickling. She will always be my little Danita that I need!

Now she will just grace me with her presence from the other side of the Veil!

My next most memorable moment with her was as she and I sat in her car after a long ride home. She shared with me her choice to let her cancer take her (this was 3 years before her death). She was in so much pain and anguish with regard to all the side effects of the daily chemo that she was resigned to

feeling the pain of cancer actually taking her life for a short while rather than living a long life of pain and side effects, never being able to carry a child to full term. She spoke of experiences that she had with our heavenly parents beyond the veil. She spoke of their love for her and tried ever so hard to convey their love for me. I was struggling very deeply with my marriage and relationship with my heavenly parents at the time. To this day I can still sense the intensity with which she was trying to help me feel the LOVE she was trying so hard to convey. I have learned much more about that love over the last 3 years and I have even felt some of it myself. Danita was truly an angel in real life helping me to pay more attention to my Heavenly Mother and Father. Helping me to put off the arm of flesh and look to Father and Mother in the grander scheme.

Yes, we had a whole life together! I heard her first cries as a baby and I watched her breathe her last breath. She was a fun-loving sister and oh the laughter that would abound! I will never forget the many rounds of laughter! I will never forget her coming to visit me at college with my younger siblings for thanksgiving and for her visit to Chicago to try out for a Talent show

(America's Got Talent I think it was).

She and I have not always seen eye to eye but I feel like we ALWAYS loved each other and always will. I will miss you my sweet Danita girl! Amazing warrior of God, Truth, and Righteousness! I look forward to our visits in my dreams! Love you forever my beautiful sister!

Nalihda C.

I will honor my Beautiful sister Danita through sharing a portion of our relationship marked with misunderstandings, selfishness, resentment, forgiveness, gratitude and yes even healing.

In the beginning Danita dreamt of the BIG STAGE, sharing her voice with the world through various talent competitions which she won. I wish I could say that I always believed in her and supported her but nothing could be farther from the truth.

“I Hate your Voice!! You are Horrible, your voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard!!” Just one of the many insults I used to sling in her direction. Our relationship was stressed to say the least and at times there was deep wounds that seemed they would never heal, chasms of pain.

By 14 years old I began to recognize the pain that I was causing and more importantly that the pain was a result of me not sufficiently being able to process my own pain so I passed it on to all those I met.

As I became aware, Danita and I began to repair our relationship which I believe we accomplished, there was one thing that seemed to never fully return, her confidence to sing publicly. Every time I hear her sing now I am brought to tears with the beauty she brought. There is a video of her signing in the hospital just weeks ago.

In 2015 I was introduced to my now career of teaching families and individuals financial literacy, I sat on it for a little over a year, I was scared to talk to those that I loved in fear of rejection, fear of being a pushy financial guy that people avoid at family parties. I lived in fear, until I learned in 2016 that Danita had been diagnosed with cancer and it was in that moment that I overcame that fear in large part.

Once again in my life Danita was the catalyst for me to look in the mirror and confront my selfishness in caring what others think. When some simple concepts of how Money really works could have completely change the conversations that our family had as we cared for and supported Danita through her cancer journey.

Over the last five years as I got more confident in my message I have been written off, discounted, and at times avoided, accused of “always talking about money” “caring about money more than anything else” etc. Although I know we’re are all on our own journey so there is no judgment.

The truth is I do talk about financial literacy all the time! I am passionate about saving and changing lives, I pray for those that believe they’re good and don’t need help. I hope that they choose at some point to overcome the same fears I had to, and be willing to let go of their old thoughts and be open to new ideas.

As I have grown in business and had the success I have been able to be in a financial position to help Danita and also time to care for her so Sharlie and I invited her to stay with us in Arizona.

I wanted so badly to be able to serve Danita and help her on her recovery. About a week into that stay, I was confronted with 2 things:

First I was completely out of shape. I could not physically help her and Sharlie who was 5 months pregnant was physically stronger and able to help Danita more than I was.

Second, I found that I saw her in pain, sobbing in pain just to sit up or move her legs. I began to dehumanize her in my mind as a way to deflect from my own inability to be with her in her darkest moments without the ability take away her pain.

Again Danita was the catalyst for growth.

⁃ It was at the expense of Danita that I was blessed to become more loving, understanding, compassionate, supportive of other’s dreams, it guides my purpose in life to help you have the confidence to go for your dreams no matter what they are, the core belief of my company Fuel Your Legacy is that You’re Worth Being Remembered! All inspired by Danita

⁃ It was at the expense of Danita that I was given the gift of confidence to save thousands of families from quiet lives of desperation living paycheck to paycheck, underinsured and unprotected through financial literacy. All that I have accomplished professionally I owe to Danita and her love and example.

⁃ It was at the expense of Danita for me to commit to my personal health and strength to ensure that I can be in a position to serve those around me.

⁃ It was at the expense of Danita that I am currently going through the deep work of learning to be able to support even when I can’t take the pain away, this is the hardest challenge yet. I am so grateful for who Danita helped me become.

Finally, on Thursday morning, we were on the zoom call with the family spending our last moments with Danita in this world, I was hours away from getting on a plane to Texas to an awards conference where I would be recognized for the accomplishments of the firm that I run and my ability to help families in 2021. This was not my award it is Danita’s, she has been my driving light and reason to become a better husband, father, son, brother, human.

I invite you to allow Danita’s life to mean something to you and make it a greater investment with your family and relationships.

I believe healing is possible and that we will heal through gratitude. I love Danita with all of my heart and I strive daily to live a life in honor of Danita. I am so grateful for the love that she gave my family and boys. We are not sure how to tell them or if they will even understand.

Samuel K.

She is a beautiful person with a beautiful voice and she will be missed.

Cindy H.

Danita was one of my best friends. We first met when her and Rex were in Texas for the summer. That was almost ten years ago. She came back for my first wedding to be my maid of honor and I came to Utah for her first to be hers. When I moved back to St George I’d always try and visit her when I was up north, but I wish I did more. She was one of the most amazing people I l have ever known. She was so full of love and kindness. Her personality was so vibrant and beautiful. She had one of those personalities you just wanted to be around. Although you and I don’t know each other, I remember her talking about you. I think you were on your mission back then? She would always talk about you telling me how great you are. I think she even told me you were her favorite once. I have no doubt she will be missed dearly by everyone she met, including me.

Samantha P.

My best friend, sister, and twin flame! Oh how my heart aches to know you are no longer with us in the physical form. You are a true woman and warrior of our Heavenly Parents. Keep fighting. Thank you for being my Guardian Angel here in mortality. I have already felt your boundless power since your passing. Thank you for being my Forever Angel. Till we meet again my Sister. I love you. "We're the same."

Brittany B.

My beautiful daughter died Thursday morning. It was unexpected. She has dealt with Leukemia for over 5 years. She was on death's door mid December. She was in hospital for 4 weeks doing chemo and recovering from the effects of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She recovered so well and was to leave for Indianapolis on Tuesday for a promotion with TSA. We are shocked and devastated and confused. We loved her laugh, voice, and intelligence. We will miss her. We will be listening to her YouTube channel often to hear her voice.

https://youtube.com/c/DanitaKnickerbocker

Gail K.

It's pretty difficult to come up with just one memory or even just a few. I went through some of my old photos and found a few pictures to share of Danita and I over the years. Danita has absolutely changed my life in so many ways. I may not even know all of the ways till after this life. We had so many ups and downs. She and I spent many days and nights road tripping, working out with ROTC, singing for old folks homes, visiting the Cardons, going shopping, singing in the studio, etc. Danita loved to laugh so even when we were away from each other we would send memes or youtube videos of funny things. I have so many hours worth of video chats with her just talking about life. When she thought she might pass away a couple years ago, she asked each of us what we would like from her. She knew we would need help to get through if she were to leave this life earlier than most. I told her I wanted video of us just talking about normal life. After that time, she got Marco Polo so we could have it all saved. I will forever be grateful for her being intentional about helping us to have what we need to grieve her passing. I loved getting polos from her and sending her videos back especially of my cute little babies who adore her. Anyway, I may get on here and write more later, but I love her so much and am grateful for all the fun we had together. And for all the struggle we had. I learned more from struggles with her than possibly anyone in my life. I love her and miss her.

Jarna K.