Marilyn Kay Ericson

1942 - 2025

Marilyn Kay Ericson

April 24, 1942 - August 11, 2025

In the late evening hours of August 11, 2025, Marilyn Kay (Finberg) Ericson passed away at home surrounded by the comfort of her family. She was born April 24, 1942, in Butte, Mont., to Harry and Mildred (Hoar) Finberg. She joined a loving Jewish family, who made their home on Florence Avenue. Her childhood was filled with special memories of time spent with her older sister Marcia, exploring the many treasures of their beloved hometown. As she grew, little sisters Harriet and Deby rounded out the Finberg sisters, truly making them inseparable for the remainder of their lives. Kay also spoke fondly of time spent at the family furniture store, Finberg Furniture, seeing her Papa – "the sweetest gentleman" or speed skating at various venues around town.

Marilyn attended Emerson through 8th grade, and Butte High School, graduating with the class of 1960. In high school, she was part of the twirling team and made lifelong friends that she cherished and kept in contact with throughout her life. After graduation, she went to work for the Safeway warehouse until starting her family.

She married Gary (Swede) Ericson on June 23, 1963, spending the early years of their marriage snowmobiling with great friends. Her two greatest blessings, Dean (1967) and Todd (1971) rounded out their family and she truly cherished her new role as Mom. The family homes on South Drive and Goodwin Street were well kept, usually becoming the hub for neighborhood friends or endless basketball games. Numerous sporting events, family trips, and many weekends spent at the family cabin kept her busy. As her boys grew, their usual antics and thrill-seeking ways always kept her on her toes. The memories and laughter these moments brought later in life weren't always so joyous to her in the moment!

After her boys got older, she began working at Butte High School in the attendance office. Employment for the FBI soon followed, where more friends were made, allowing her to build towards retirement and spending time enjoying her growing family. With the marriages of both her boys, she gained two amazing daughters-in-law, but her greatest role of Grama began. Her seven grandchildren became the focus of the later years of her life. Birthday parties, sporting events, dance recitals, graduations, weddings, or any other big moments, she was always there. As traveling became harder, she had her radio tuned into the latest game or was always ready to watch a live stream on her phone.

She was a true Butte Bulldog fan her entire life and was a die-hard Montana Grizzly fan, especially after Todd's college career. Marilyn enjoyed getting together for lunch with high school classmates, work friends, or an occasional Red Hats gathering. She kept up with old friends and current news on Facebook. Always one for the latest gadget, she bought multiple for everyone and loved finding a good deal on QVC. The last few years have been filled with joyous moments as her grandchildren began having their own children and she gained another role of GG Kay. She relished in these moments – watching them play and interact – and always finding them the latest toys.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Harry and Mildred Finberg; her Boby and Papa (Sam and Mary Finberg); and grandparents William and Emily Hoar; her beautiful sisters, Marcia Tierney and Harriet Anderson; her infant brother, Maurice Finberg; her brothers-in-law, George Tierney and Greg Salo; and her nephew Kurtis Salo. Also preceding her in death is her former husband, Gary (Swede) Ericson; and her in-laws Lonnie and Sue Ericson.

Her beautiful legacy will live on through her sons and daughters-in-law, Dean and Mary Kaye Ericson and Todd and Angela Ericson; her grandchildren, Josh and Rylie Ericson, Kayla and Zach Bunney, Trisha (Kole) Ericson, and Wynn, Rhen, Hollis, and Crew Ericson; her great-grandchildren, Ella, Ryker, Kroy, Emmi, Zayd, and soon-to-be Baby McGrath. She also leaves behind her baby sister, Deby Salo, who was so instrumental in helping her remain at home in the end; her brother-in-law, Don (Peggy) Anderson; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and lifelong friends, including Becky Allen.

The family would like to thank all of the warm and comforting staff with Honeybee Hospice, who were true angels on Earth. Without her Dean – her rock and helper for so many years – she wouldn't have been able to live independently for as long as she did.

Mom, Grama, and GG Kay – we will miss you so much, but we are honored to carry your memories with us. Our love for you is endless!

In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Marilyn are suggested to the George Tierney Scholarship Fund, c/o Shawna F., Butte High School, 401 S. Wyoming St., Butte, Mont. 59701, or to the Harriet Anderson Memorial Scholarship Fund, 6103 Hobson Ln., Missoula, Mont. 59803.

Services will be announced at a later date.

Please visit axelsonfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or share a memory of Marilyn.

Axelson Funeral and Cremation

2009 Harrison Ave.

Butte, MT 59701

406-494-4264