Delia V. Erickson, age 82 of Monroe, died Sunday, March 14, 2010 at the Monroe Clinic Hospital. Heartbroken after the loss of her husband, Bob, Delia suffered from dementia that robbed her of her beautiful mind.
She was born on March 22, 1927 in Argyle, WI, the daughter of John and Victoria (Lang) Birk. She attended Argyle High School and graduated from South Wayne High School in 1945. Delia was united in marriage to Robert M. Erickson on September 21, 1946 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gratiot. They farmed near South Wayne on her parent's farm which they later purchased and raised their family. Delia worked for many years at Florine's Ladies Apparel in Monroe and also as a physical therapy aide at St. Clare Hospital.
Besides her family she loved flowers especially roses, and spent countless hours in the yard. She enjoyed garage sales, playing cards, music and dancing. She was an excellent cook and baker and shared many recipes with her family and friends. She also had many collections including hummels, dolls, beer steins, birds, glassware, and antiques. Delia organized fun events and outings so friends and family could get together. She and Bob traveled extensively. Their winter sojourns to New Braunfels, TX allowed them to continue to enjoy the outdoors and more importantly, develop new friendships.
Delia was a member of St. Victor Catholic Church, Swiss Attic Fancier's Antique group, Women of the Moose, Monroe Garden Club, Art Club, Euchre on Mondays and along with her husband belonged to Antique Wheeler's car club. She volunteered for the Apostolate to the Handicapped for several years.
She is survived by two daughters and a son, Linda (John) McKegney of Madison, Susan (Duane) Rinehart of Monroe, and Steven (Kim) Erickson of Stoughton. She loved her four grandchildren, Molly McKegney of St. Paul, MN, Mark Rinehart (fiancée Sarah Wolter) both of Oconomowoc, WI, Laurie Rinehart of Prairie du Sac, WI, and Hillary Erickson of Stoughton; and a great-grandson, Ryan Rinehart. She made it a priority of being a memorable part of their lives. She is further survived by her sister, Lena Lingg; sisters-in-law, Clara Birk and Jeanette Leuzinger; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her parents; a daughter, Mary Jo in infancy; and brothers Peter, Joseph and Victor Birk.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 18, 2010, at St. Victor Catholic Church, Monroe, with Father Michael Klarer officiating. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation will be at the Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, on Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
A memorial fund will be established in Delia's name. To send the family a condolence go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
Delia's family would like to thank the entire staff of Monroe Clinic Hospice especially Jean and Dr. Richardson, and also Elizabeth and staff at Community Living Home Options who gave such wonderful care.
She was born on March 22, 1927 in Argyle, WI, the daughter of John and Victoria (Lang) Birk. She attended Argyle High School and graduated from South Wayne High School in 1945. Delia was united in marriage to Robert M. Erickson on September 21, 1946 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gratiot. They farmed near South Wayne on her parent's farm which they later purchased and raised their family. Delia worked for many years at Florine's Ladies Apparel in Monroe and also as a physical therapy aide at St. Clare Hospital.
Besides her family she loved flowers especially roses, and spent countless hours in the yard. She enjoyed garage sales, playing cards, music and dancing. She was an excellent cook and baker and shared many recipes with her family and friends. She also had many collections including hummels, dolls, beer steins, birds, glassware, and antiques. Delia organized fun events and outings so friends and family could get together. She and Bob traveled extensively. Their winter sojourns to New Braunfels, TX allowed them to continue to enjoy the outdoors and more importantly, develop new friendships.
Delia was a member of St. Victor Catholic Church, Swiss Attic Fancier's Antique group, Women of the Moose, Monroe Garden Club, Art Club, Euchre on Mondays and along with her husband belonged to Antique Wheeler's car club. She volunteered for the Apostolate to the Handicapped for several years.
She is survived by two daughters and a son, Linda (John) McKegney of Madison, Susan (Duane) Rinehart of Monroe, and Steven (Kim) Erickson of Stoughton. She loved her four grandchildren, Molly McKegney of St. Paul, MN, Mark Rinehart (fiancée Sarah Wolter) both of Oconomowoc, WI, Laurie Rinehart of Prairie du Sac, WI, and Hillary Erickson of Stoughton; and a great-grandson, Ryan Rinehart. She made it a priority of being a memorable part of their lives. She is further survived by her sister, Lena Lingg; sisters-in-law, Clara Birk and Jeanette Leuzinger; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her parents; a daughter, Mary Jo in infancy; and brothers Peter, Joseph and Victor Birk.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 18, 2010, at St. Victor Catholic Church, Monroe, with Father Michael Klarer officiating. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation will be at the Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, on Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
A memorial fund will be established in Delia's name. To send the family a condolence go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
Delia's family would like to thank the entire staff of Monroe Clinic Hospice especially Jean and Dr. Richardson, and also Elizabeth and staff at Community Living Home Options who gave such wonderful care.