Colletta J. Erickson

Colletta J. Erickson, passed away peacefully at New Perspectives Assisted Living in Green Bay, WI, on December 28th. She was born Sept 19, 1932, in Marseilles, Illinois to Emmett and Elsie Boyd O'Neill. Colletta was extremely proud of her Irish Catholic Heritage.
She was raised in Marseilles, Illinois where she graduated from Marseilles High School and then enrolled in the Silver Cross Nursing School where she fulfilled her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse. Upon graduation she began her nursing career at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, IL.
On June 27, 1953, she married Robert J. Erickson in Marseilles, Illinois. They resided in Joliet and Plainfield until they moved to Fond du Lac, WI in 1966. There she began her journey at St. Agnes of providing care and comfort to post-surgical patients. She had a passion for quality patient care and loved her career and eventually took a job with the Fond du Lac Regional Clinic where she worked in Urology with Dr. John Elliott until her retirement in 1997.
Colletta was a member of the FDL Yacht Club Nauti Gals, where she developed many friendships which she and Bob made over the years. Boat trips on Lake Winnebago and travel to Lake Havasu, AZ with their Yacht Club Pals became a central focus during their retirement years. Colletta's love for cooking provided delicious meals for her family along with serving the underprivileged though the FDL Loaves and Fishes Program. She was also involved in Holy Family Catholic Church, where she volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister and visited the sick to distribute communion. Colletta had a passion for card games with her children and grandchildren including Canasta, Pinnacle, Rummy which she often won most of the time. She loved her bridge clubs, fostering many lifelong friendships. Our mother lived her life by her love of faith, family, friends, and profession.
She is survived by her children, Michael (Cindy) Erickson and Janice (John) Gilles both of Green Bay; grandchildren Robert Erickson, Jennifer Erickson, and Angela (Aaron) Roden of Alamo, CA, Dr. Ryan (Katie) Gilles of Spokane Valley, WA, Christopher Erickson, Sarah Erickson and Stephanie (Mark) Rutherford, of St. Joseph, MI; seven great grandchildren Henry and George Gilles, Abigail, Olivia and Eli Roden, Alya and Andrew Rutherford. She is further survived by former daughter-in-laws Kathy Grumbir of St Joseph, MI and Lynn Erickson of Green Bay. Colletta is also survived by her brother-in-law Charles (Jeanne) Erickson of Glendale, AZ, numerous nieces and nephews including a special Goddaughter, Mary Rose Erickson.
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert of 59 years, a son John, her parents, in-laws Arthur and Catherine Erickson and brother and sister-in-law Frank and Mary Kay Peworski.
SERVICES: Colletta's family will receive relatives and friends from 9:00-11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church, 200 S. Peters Avenue, Fond du Lac on Saturday, January 11, 2025. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM following the visitation. Entombment will follow at the Chapel of the Risen Christ Mausoleum, Calvary Cemetery.
The family extends a special thank you to family friends, Patty and Dick Krueger, Mary and Jack Zanders and Mary Kay Orr for providing our mother endless support over the years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Holy Family Catholic Church or Aurora at Home Green Bay Hospice Attn: Tiffany Tannhaeuser 1155 N Honey Creek Pkwy Wauwatosa, WI 53213