Dolores V. Erickson Obituary (1929 - 2015)

Dolores V. Erickson Our dear mother, Dolores Erickson, came into the presence of Jesus Christ and was reunited with her loved ones in heaven on Monday, August 17, 2015. Dolores, age 85, was a life-long resident of Menomonie and for the past two years has resided at The Neighbors of Dunn County. Dolores Virginia Ockler was born on Sept. 22, 1929 in Eau Claire, WI to Sam and Susan (Stainer) Ockler. She grew up on the family farm in rural Menomonie and attended the Beaver Creek one-room school through eighth grade. Dolores graduated from Menomonie High School. Then she worked as a secretary at the REA (Rural Electrification Administration). In later years, she worked at the American Lutheran Nursing Home for 22 years as a Dietary Aide. On April 18, 1952, Dolores married Carl Erickson at Peace Lutheran Church in Menomonie and they were partners for 58 years. To this union three children were born; Jeff, Debbie and Dale. Her family meant the world to her. She was a long-time member at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Dolores was kind and caring and a blessing to her family and friends. She loved gardening and canned tomatoes and fruit, and grew beautiful raspberries. Dolores and Carl belonged to the Pairs and Squares square dancing club for many years and also loved to polka and waltz. She loved country music, camping and senior bus trips to various destinations in the U.S. She and Carl also enjoyed being members of the Menomonie Moose Lodge. Tuesday evenings during the summer meant enjoying the music from the Ludington Guard Band in Wilson Park. Dolores is survived by son, Jeff of Rochester, MN, daughter, Debbie (Jonathan) Stone of Chippewa Falls, and son, Dale (Mary) of Menomonie; sister-in-law Audrey Erickson of Menomonie, brother/sister-in-law Willie and Judy Ockler of Menomonie, sister, Beverly Hoppe of River Falls, sister-in-law Bernice Erickson of Appleton; and nieces and nephews, Cindy (Kevin) Hamm, Julie (Jerry) Wirl, Brenda (R. John) Steinberger, Bill (Penny) Ockler, Becky (Brian) Evan, Bruce (Jean) Hoppe, Beth (Jon) Stidham and Brenda (Thomas) Ebert-Hoppe and many other family members and friends. She will be greatly missed by family and friends with many fond memories. She is now in the arms of Jesus joyfully reunited with her husband, parents, grandparents and so many others. She was preceded in death by her husband Carl, parents Sam and Susan Ockler, infant sister Vada May, and mother-in-law/father-in-law Leon and Minnie Erickson, brother-in-law Bill Hoppe and brother-in-law Lyle Erickson. The family would like to thank the staff of The Neighbors of Dunn County for their care and concern for Dolores during her stay there. Special appreciation to CNA’s Penny Neubauer, Becky Hoyt, Laurie Schaefer, Kayla Miller, Ashley Sorenson, Johnna Stuart, and Denise Martin and nurses Sorena Martin, Molly Stewart and Paula McClelland and Dr. Thirumalai. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 21, 2015 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Menomonie with Pastor Sarah Miller officiating. There will be visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service Friday at the church. Burial will be in Christ Lutheran Halvorson Cemetery in Menomonie.