Shirley E. Erickson

Shirley Erickson, age 98, of Elkhorn, died peacefully on Monday, February 11, 2019. Shirley was born on November 3, 1920 near Elroy, Wisconsin to the late Hans and Caroline (Haas) Thornsen. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Orland, parents, and brothers Otis, Ovie, Castin and Jim. Shirley and Orland married in Kendall, Wisconsin on January 16, 1943. They lived in Florida, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Glendale CA, Brookfield, Pewaukee and Reeseville WI. Shirley spent her last years at RidgeStone Assisted Living in Elkhorn WI. Shirley loved people, she loved to laugh, travel, play cards, cook and enjoyed life to the fullest. She was a positive influence on everyone who was fortunate enough to know her. When her dining room table wasn’t filled with food, there was a puzzle on one end and a scrabble game on the other. Shirley enjoyed working for Kohls Department Store for 25 years and was a member of the Reeseville American Legion Auxiliary. Survivors include her three children, Linda (Rick) Breidenbach of Burlington, Leland (Isolde) Erickson of Cedar Crest, New Mexico and Verne (Peggy) Erickson of Oconomowoc, five grandchildren, Allan (Stefani) Breidenbach, Greg (Kim) Breidenbach, Rob Breidenbach, Abby (Cory) Johnson, Austin (Bruno) Erickson and six great grandchildren, Jackson and Nolan Breidenbach, Claire and Eric Breidenbach, Henry and Brooks Johnson. The family would like to extend their profound gratitude to all of the caregivers at RidgeStone Terrace for all the wonderful care and support they have given Shirley over the recent years. A celebration of life gathering is planned to be held at the Reeseville Community Center in the spring with specific details to follow.