Former Wickman's Garden Village owner dies at 82

Former Wickman's Garden Village owner Glenn Kristek has died.

Kristek, 82, died on Feb. 20 at his Springfield home, according to his obituary posted to GormanScharpf.com. His cause of death was not disclosed in the obituary, which gives "a special thank you to the people at Integrity Home Care and Hospice in Springfield for their loving care and support during his final years."

"He was a dedicated leader and important in the lives of many of our employees and customers," officials with Wickman's Garden Village said in a Facebook post.

Wickman's Garden Village is now led by Kristek's son, Chris, and his wife, Amber. After retiring, Kristek celebrated the 100-year anniversary of Wickman's Garden Village in 2022, according to his obituary.

Kristek purchased Wickman's in 1972 after he started working at the business in 1959, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

Wickman's Garden Village, located at 1345 S. Fort Ave., has a nursery, greenhouse, flower shop and garden center, among other amenities listed on its website.

When asked by SBJ in 2006 about his favorite flower, Kristek said it's the red rose.

"There's just a message that a red rose conveys," he said at the time. "When you absorb the outpouring of a red rose, it fulfills the senses with beauty, something sturdy and satisfying."

SBJ previously reported that Wickman's Garden Village's annual revenue was $6 million in 2007, with the company reportedly selling some 10,000 poinsettias during holiday seasons.

Beyond Wickman's Garden Village, Kristek was active with The Kitchen Inc. and St. Agnes Cathedral, and he owned a farm called Bubbling Brooks near Crane, according to his obituary.