Obit: Erickson, Norma Jean ‘Jean’ (1933 - 2014)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Erickson, Eakens, Newberry, Smith, Dillenburg, Krause, Alviso, Slaby, Kline, Roberts, Phillips, Steinbach, Wros, Kaufman, Lindsey,

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 11/19/2014

Erickson, Norma Jean ‘Jean’ (17 January 1933 - 12 November 2014)

Norma Jean “Jean’ Erickson, 81, passed on to eternal life Nov. 12, 2014. Mom was born in Waukesha Jan. 17, 1933, to a large family. Mom graduated from Waukesha High School in 1951. She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) until she was married May 29, 1953 to Lester Erickson. Mom took great pride in her family and enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom. She was a fantastic cook and inspired her children to emulate her cooking skills. As her children grew, Mom went back to school and received her LPN degree Dec. 19, 1975. She worked at the Milwaukee County Psychiatric Hospital until her retirement.

Once she and Dad were retired, they moved to beautiful Clark County to be near their youngest child, Jolene, and her family. They loved looking out over the backwoods, watching the birds at the bird feeder and other wild critters. Mom particularly enjoyed growing flowers and plants on her deck.

Mom was preceded in death by her mother, Lela (nee Eakens) Newberry and her father, Burnis Newbury; her husband, Lester R. Erickson; two brothers, Chuck Newbury of Mississippi and Dick Newbury of Watertown; two sisters, Mildred Roberts of Watertown and Gladys Phillips of Pennsylvania; grandson, Richard Charles Smith of Wahiawa, HI; and great-grandson, Stephen Jackson Smith III of Tacoma, WA.

Surviving siblings include Goldie Steinbach of Watertown, Fritzie (Ed) Wros of Sevierville, TN, Marie (Ron) Kaufman of Wahiawa, HI, Jerry (Joanne) Newbury of Arizona and Sandie (Ridge) Lindsey of North Carolina.

Children: Diana L. Smith of Clarksville, TN, Robert A. (Lucy) Erickson of Melbourne, FL, Donna (Bill) Dillenburg of Antioch, IL, and Jolene (Dennis) Krause of Willard.

Grandchildren: Stephen J. (Christine) Smith II of Clarksville, TN, Christopher (Lisa) Smith of Franklin, TN, Andy Erickson of Oregon, Troy Erickson of Portland, OR, Tracie (Jose) Alviso of Yakima, WA, Destiny Erickson, of Antioch, IL, Nichole (boyfriend, Shane Slaby) of Ettrick, and Sarah (boyfriend, Jeff Kline) Krause of Arcadia.

Great-grandchildren: Brianna and Julia Smith of Clarksville, TN, Emma, Sophie and Marcus Alviso of Washington, Justice Erickson of Antioch, IL, and Leo and Lacey Krause of Ettrick.

The family would like to kindly thank Drs. Campbell and Moldyz whom Mom thought the world of. Also, thank you to Ministry Hospice and Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation for outstanding compassionate care. A special thank you to Jolene, Dennis and Nichole Krause for their extra loving care the have given over the years.

Memorial service details are pending. Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Norma Jean’s family with funeral arrangements.