Ilah June Erickson

1939 - 2020

Ilah June Erickson
June 18, 1939 - Jan. 4, 2020
Ilah June Erickson died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 in Hillsboro, with her beloved husband and daughter at her side. Ilah was born June 18, 1939 in Lebam, Wash., to Fred and Irene Corliss. She joined her sister, Darlys and was followed by brothers, Harlan and Stan. The Corliss family moved to South Dakota when Ilah was very young, living there until she was in the 6th grade. She always considered herself a country girl.
Ilah graduated from Beaverton High School in 1957. She married David Cole in 1958 and they had two children, Shawn and Troy, before divorcing. Ilah became a fiercely independent and proud single working mother who raised her kids with abundant love and an adventurous spirit. She saved nickels and dimes all year so that she and her kids could travel the West in her beloved Plymouth Duster each August.
She worked in accounting at Montgomery Ward (where she met her lifelong best friend, Mary), Pein Box, Idaho Forest Industries and ultimately retired after many years at OrePac Bldg. Products.
She met her soul mate, Dale Erickson, in 1981 and they spent the next 38+ years working, dancing to her favorite Neil Diamond songs, traveling the world and doting after their six grandkids.
Ilah was known for her annual Christmas parties. She loved Christmas and started decorating the day after Thanksgiving with her giant trees and 400+ Nativity scenes from around the world. She also loved going to garage sales with Dale and the grandkids, and her house is chock full of her collections.
An extremely stylish woman, she was known for always being the best-dressed person in the room, down to her matching shoes and fingernail polish, and always with just a little bit of sparkle.
Ilah was a generous and loving woman who made all of her friends and family feel as though they were the most special people in the world and to her, they were!!
Ilah was preceded in death by her parents; two siblings; and her son, Troy Cole. She is survived by her husband, Dale Erickson; daughter, Shawn Cole McDonald; step-daughter, Denise Ramsden; grandkids, Brendan McDonald, Shannon McDonald, Alison McDonald, Emily Erickson, Danielle Ramsden, Kevin Ramsden; and her brother, Stan Corliss.
A memorial service was held Jan. 9, 2020, at Donelson Funeral Chapel in Hillsboro, OR.
Rather than flowers, please consider donating to one of her favorite charities: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or the American Cancer Association.
And Ilah would suggest that you hug your loved ones and travel the world with your grandkids - you'll never regret it!
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits