A family ‘of hair’

The Ramaekers travel to Creston from their home in Lamoni every six weeks to have their hair cut at Shear Magic Styling Salon, where Wendy Sticken, owner, has been cutting the family’s hair for three generations. Brenda Dillenburg is a client and began bringing her children: Gayle (now Ramaeker), Ben, Chrystal (now Harvey) and Will, to the salon when they were young. Gayle now brings her children: Andrew, 9, Grace, 6, and Emily, 4.

This trip, June 1, had a special purpose. Gayle, Grace and Emily donated their hair to Wigs for Kids in honor of Gayle’s brother Ben who survived cancer 30 years ago at age 5.

Wigs for Kids

Wigs for Kids provides wigs for children who have lost their hair due to medical conditions, such as cancer and alopecia, allowing them a sense of normalcy and helping boost their self-confidence.

Wigs for Kids does not charge families for hair replacement, including replacement wigs as the children grow. They rely on donations of hair and financial donations to create the wigs and distribute them.

Gayle and Grace donated their hair to Pantine two years ago. Chrystal’s daughter, Layla, 9, donated her hair two years ago, as well. Due to the development of new technologies in synthetic hair, Pantine no longer accepts hair donations.

Grace wanted to donate her hair again, and, this time, she wanted to involve as many people in the family as possible. So the three grew their hair to the required 12 inches. Grandmothers Brenda Dillenburg and Janice Ramaeker and Uncle Ben came to watch the hair cutting process.

Sticken separated each person’s hair into several ponytails, leaving shoulder length hair above the rubber bands. After cutting off the ponytails, she trimmed and styled the remaining hair.

Emily donated 12 inches of hair during her first real haircut. Grace was able to donate13 inches of hair.

“I want to give my hair to kids that are sick,” Grace said.

Although Gayle said her hair is thick and heavy, she had promised one of her students at Lamoni Community High School, where she teaches, not to cut it until after graduation. Two weeks after graduation, she was able to donate 12 inches of hair.

Sticken said she has cut hair to send to Wigs for Kids many times throughout her career.

“I wish I would have kept track of how many times,” Sticken said.

Shear Magic

Sticken, who was born and raised in Creston, said she knew she wanted to be a hairdresser since she was in fifth grade. She graduated from Creston High School in 1987 and then Hair Tech School of Cosmetology in 1989. She worked at salons in Creston for six years and then opened her own salon with Rhonda Vogel in 1995. Vogel was unable to continue working with Sticken due to health issues.

In 2006, Sticken had her own health problems after an accident but was able to return to hairdressing.

“I am so thankful I survived it and was able to go back to work,” she said. “I look forward to going to work everyday.”

Sticken is celebrating her 30th year in the hairdressing business with an open house 4 to 6 p.m. July 5 at Shear Magic, 226 N. Pine St.