Karl Erickson Obituary

Karl H. Erickson, 82 ROCKFORD - Karl H. Erickson, 82, of Rockford passed away Saturday, June 25, 2011, in Wesley Willows. He was born Feb. 23, 1929, in Rockford to Thorsten and Myrtle (Turnquist) Erickson. He attended Highland School, Lincoln Junior High and graduated in 1947 from East High School, where he was a member of the varsity basketball team. In 1951, he graduated from the University of Illinois College of Engineering and was a member and past president of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. He married Barbara Witty on June 17, 1951, in Pleasant Plains, Ill. He was initially employed at Boeing in Seattle, but returned to Rockford to start his career at Amerock. There he held various positions, the last being president of Window Hardware Division on South Main. After serving the company for 38 years, he retired in 1990. His community service was varied throughout the years. He served on boards of Junior Achievement, YMCA, SwedishAmerican Hospital, United Way, chairman of Home Bank Board, president of Forest Hills Country Club, director of Rockford Engineered Products, director of the Last Straw Restaurant and an elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed his retirement years, spending time at this home in Florida during the winter months, where he was a member of First Presbyterian Church and the Bonita Bay Club in Bonita Springs, Fla. He enjoyed playing golf, tennis, skiing and especially time spent with family and friends. He will be remembered as a humble, fun-loving, hardworking, caring friend to all. Karl was a devoted and beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and brother-in-law. He will be dearly missed. Survived by wife, Barbara; daughters, Joanne (Roger) Deaton of Wadsworth, Karen (John) Calder of Metamora and Diane (Jim) Dixon of Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.; grandchildren, Levi Deaton, Abigail Deaton, Megan (Mike) Stoll, Melissa (James) Bello, Margaret Triebel, Reid Dixon and Connor Dixon; great-grandson, Thomas Stoll; sister, Kathryn Palm; brothers-in-law, James and John Palm; sister-in-law, Ruth Ann (Lamar) Kelsey. Predeceased by parents and sister, Marilyn Palm. The family wishes to thank all the staff at Wesley Willows-Kirk's Place for their special loving care. Northern Illinois Hospice was helpful to our family in their support and care. Memorial service at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, June 30, in Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2821 Bell School Road, with a memorial visitation from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.; the Rev. Dr. William Ward will officiate. Private burial in Arlington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church; Wesley Willows-Kirk's Place, 4141 N. Rockton Road, Rockford, IL 61103; or charity of your choice. Arrangements by Olson Funeral & Cremation Services Ltd., 1001 Second Ave. To share a memory or condolence online, visit olsonfh.com.

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Published by Rockford Register Star from Jun. 28 to Jun. 29, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Karl Erickson

7 Entries

Candy Simon

June 30, 2011

My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. May you find comfort in all of the happy memories that I'm sure you experienced over the years. Sincerely, Candy

June 29, 2011

I cannot say enough how important Barb and Karl have been in my own life recently. I have learned SO much from them- about things like how to be a good wife, how to always keep my composure when things get rough, and how important it is to never take your family for granted.
Thank you, Karl and Barb. My condolences to those that lost this wonderful man.

Jerry Gibson

June 29, 2011

My condolences to the family. I will remember Karl as a great Boss who taught me so much about business. His ways were always of the highest moral and ethical business practices. He had a great deal of faith in me and challenged me to consistantly grow. We had a lot of fun as well, running the Window Hardware Business. We experienced great growth and met every goal and financial expectation of a tough parent. We had a great Team but most of all we had a great leader in Karl.

June 28, 2011

We are deeply saddened by the loss of your great husband and father! We know that in all of our hearts he has left a little piece of his great personality, a smile, a laugh, and we have all learned something important from him. For that we thank you and your family for letting us be a part of your lives and his. We love you very much.We will definetly miss Karl's humar and yours Barb. It's not the same. The 2nd shift kirk staff:Amber-Holly-Lesley-Elizabeth-Whitney-Sandy

Ned Powelson

June 28, 2011

My deepest condolences to your family. May the tears of sorrow occasionally be eased with smiles of wonderful memories. As a teenager, I probably spent too much time at your house, but Karl was so kind, patient and just plain nice. I think of those times often.

June 28, 2011

Barb I will never forget our years at Illinois and the fun we had with "cousin Karl". I will talk to you soon. Fondly, Joann Frisk Svikhart

June 28, 2011

I happily remember all the pcinics we had as an exteded framily on Paris Avenue and the Chritsams Eves in Grandma and Grandpa Plam's Elder Lane House. Uncle Karl was always so nice and I did not realize for many years that I really was not related to you--but I still and always will consider you Uncle Karl and Aunt Barb. Thanks for being a part of my childhood in Romckford, I was a lucky girl to be able to have your family as part of my extended family. Please except my deepest sympathies and I will be thinking of your famility. Sally Palm-Larson

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