Erika M. Eaton

Of Milwaukee, age 46, passed away on March 24, 2005 due to complications from breast cancer, which was first diagnosed in 1999. She was born in Wurzburg, Germany to Margaret and Stanley Eaton of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Erika was a ballet dancer who graduated from the National Academy of Arts in Champaign, Illinois. A long-time resident of Houston, Texas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Erika made her way to Milwaukee in 1985, received a bachelor's degree from Concordia University and succeeded here in a career in court reporting.

Erika was passionate about travel, gourmet cooking, 18th and 19th century decorative arts, antiques, sailing and yoga. A skilled and beautiful dancer, she had been a member of a number of small modern dance companies. She had enthusiasm for all things French and developed great expertise as the result of many trips to Paris and other destinations in France and her independent study of the history, culture and language, in which she became virtually fluent. She was a past board member and fundraiser for the Alliance Francaise de Milwaukee.

Erika worked as a fundraising volunteer for the American Cancer Society and after her diagnosis served as a mentor for After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) and counseled many newly diagnosed women to help them make informed decisions and to understand and experience their treatment with fewer problems and fears. Erika bravely followed the difficult course of treatment for her own cancer, but succumbed to a sudden and unexpected cardiac complication.

Erika had great affection for her two dogs, pug Louis and bullmastiff Regina, and in the most recent years, she returned to her interest in horseback riding, undertaking the study of dressage, training to compete with her beautiful horse, a bay Dutch Warmblood named Romeo, at Serenity Farms in Oostburg, Wisconsin.

Erika was an extraordinary woman, a light of beauty, vitality, genius and selfless kindness, who always provided care, counseling, comfort and joy to her family and everyone she came in contact with.

She is survived by beloved husband Mark Young, dear father Stanley Eaton, loving sisters Elise Trasser and Rachel Eaton, brothers and sisters in law Greg Trasser, Sallie Lamers, Robert Young, Leslie Young, Chandler Young and Kerri Young, adoring step-children Sarah Frey, Casey Young and Elliot Young, darling niece Hannah Trasser, nephew Joshua Trasser and step-grandson Stephan Young and his mother Rebecca Ford, and innumerable friends and relatives, whom she loved and who loved her.

Visitation March 30 at 2 PM followed by Memorial Service at 3:30 PM at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 West Capitol Drive.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Froedtert Memorial Hospital Foundation - Breast Care Center or Oncology Department, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53266 or Milwaukee Hunger Task Force, 201 S. Hawley Court, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53214 in Erika's name would be appreciated.