Carol J. Erickson

Carol Jean Erickson (Rensvold) danced into the arms of Jesus early in the morning of March 31st, 2025. She was surrounded by her family while at the Billings Clinic where she passed away due to a severe brain bleed. She probably felt the need to get to heaven to plan a party and celebrate with her mom in heaven on her 100th birthday that day. That was Carol, she was always thinking of and caring for others and she was the party planner and she had all the energy to carry it through with a smile on her face and love in her heart.
Carol was born in Miles City, MT. She was the second child born to Carl and Bertha (Naasz) Schlepp. She is now meeting and enjoying time with her sister Bonnie, which she never met because she passed as an infant. Carol also has a brother, Jerry Schlepp.
Circle, Montana was where her family made their home. She attended Circle schools and this is where she met the man who swept her off her feet, Robert (Bob) Erickson. They were married at a young age on June 8, 1963 and they made their home in Vida, MT, where they farmed and gardened. Bob and Carol always said that Vida was "The greatest place on earth". Vida is where they raised their three children, Shelly, Sherry and Michael. As parents they were always present for all of their children's activities and very supportive of all the things their children were involved in throughout the years. They were always teaching hard work ethics, good morals and the importance of having a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Carol was very instrumental in getting the family to church each Sunday, where she was for many years the leader of the Sunday School program at the Evangelical Church.
Carol became a widow on September 2, 1996 when Bob passed away in a car accident. Carol continued to live in Vida where she continued to help on the family farm, raise her garden, and tend to her beautiful yard and "Vida Park". She spent many hours in her yard, mowing, watering, caring for plants and it showed. With each passing year it seemed that she would get more energy instead of less. It may have had something to do with the fact that she loved doing all of this and took pride in it.
On June 12, 2012 Carol married Ted Rensvold after a short courtship. Ted's family instantly became part of Carol's family. Together, Ted and Carol would travel to see them and enjoy some of their sporting events. They enjoyed going on bus trips around the country and seeing new places and meeting new people. You could also find them putting puzzles together and playing cards with friends. The love of dancing was something they had in common and they would attend many senior dances where they became great dance partners.
Carol always had the love of dancing. She must have passed this dancing trait onto her son Michael. The two of them were known to clear the dance floor at all of Carol's grandchildren's weddings. This sometimes even included the pick Carol up and flip her over move from Mike.
Throughout life Carol got involved in many things. She could be described as a doer, planner, caretaker, hard worker, giver. For many years she helped her dear friend Agnes Schmidt with events. She also planned and held many events in her beautiful yard such as Christian singing groups and dinners. She could make anything in her yard bloom and grow with the most vibrant of colors. She was an excellent cook and baker. Holidays will never be the same without Grandma's buns. She enjoyed sports and she even played on the women's softball team that her husband Bob coached. She was always helping a neighbor or friend in need. She babysat many kids in the Vida area. Everything Carol did she did with so much love and compassion.
If you could describe the best mother and grandmother, it would be Carol. Once she had grandchildren and great grandchildren and if they were around her, she would have one on her lap or be down on the floor playing with them. Sometimes she had just as much energy when playing as they did. Her love and devotion to her family was immeasurable. She spent many hours cross-stitching many blankets for each and everyone of her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. These were made with so much love and they will be cherished for many years. She was a big part of all of our lives and she will be greatly missed by her family.
Carol is survived by her husband, Ted Rensvold of Vida, two daughters, Shelly Sutton and her husband Arne of Circle, Sherry Haynie and her husband Elliot of Vida; and her son Michael Erickson and his wife Janet of Billings. Six Grandchildren, Andrea Galt her husband Jay, Lynae Cole her husband Cody, Jamison Haynie his wife Katie, Janessa Fisk her husband Tanner, Journey Colgan and her husband Chris and also Kolt Erickson; Six Great Grandchildren, Mason and Anders Haynie, Henry Galt, Sienna Cole and expectant baby Cole, and Colsen Fisk; her brother Jerry Schlepp and his wife Margi of Glendive. She is also survived by Ted's family: Dave and Mary Rensvold, their children Matthew and Samantha; Curt & Joscelyn Tracy, their children Audrey, Colton (Reann), Shawn, Samantha (Zach) & expectant baby; Eric Rensvold and his daughter Mya. Many cousins, nieces, nephews and numerous dear friends.
Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Robert (Bob) Erickson, father Carl; mother, Bertha; sister Bonnie and her father-in-law Axel Erickson and mother-in-law Lena Erickson.
Our family would like to thank each and everyone of you for being part of Carol's life. She was a great wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. She will be so greatly missed but we have comfort in knowing that she is now an angel dancing in heaven, enjoying the streets of gold and seeing and smelling the beautiful flowers there. Dance away mom – you deserve it!
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Visitation will be held on Friday, April 4th, 2025 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 PM. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 5th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Circle Evangelical Church. There will be a graveside burial at the Vida Cemetery at 2 PM following a light luncheon at Evangelical Church. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.