Maria Franziska Erickson

Maria Franziska Erickson was born on October 4, 1942, growing up in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. She was the beloved daughter of Fritz and Josefa Bremke. At age 13, she moved to Frankfurt, Germany where she met her lifelong friends. She continued to visit Frankfurt even after moving to the United States in 1967 upon marriage. She brought her children annually for the summer months, until her mother's death in 1983. Thereafter, Maria continued to visit Germany regularly to visit her close girlfriends, whose families became extended family as a result of their tight friendships that continued until Maria's death.
Maria was passionate about travel from a young age having studied tourism and linguistics in Germany and France. She was multi-lingual and traveled the world, both as a tour guide and as a hobby having visited dozens of countries across 6 continents. She instilled this love for travel in each of her children, believing there is so much to learn from each unique culture. Maria shared her zest for travel with a close knit of girlfriends (affectionately known as The Frogs) as she coordinated annual trips for 25 consecutive years ranging from Nepal to Patagonia and almost everything in between. These trips were the highlight of her year.
Maria was very resourceful and had several successful careers in the US. Upon arriving in the United States, Maria managed a travel agency in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During her time in Michigan she was a real estate agent with Goodman Pierce in Grosse Pointe and later became a broker. She also successfully started her own Hypnotherapy practice. During her later years she taught German with the Chippewa Valley School District and also provided German instruction for executives in the Auto Industry. Maria received several recognitions for her ability to teach over the years and regularly became a favorite instructor requested by name.
In her spare time, outside of travel and teaching, she enjoyed the theatre and participating in choir. There was so much to admire about Maria (her elegance, impeccable style, unwavering honesty, delightful humor, passion for engaging conversation and complete selflessness when it pertained to her children) that it's impossible to highlight all her amazingness. Ultimately, Maria was full of life and confronted any obstacle in stride, including her illness which ultimately took her life. She was guided by a strong faith in God, often saying "Der Mensch denkt, Gott lenkt" (what man thinks, God directs).
She is survived by her ex-husband, Ralph Erickson, and three daughters Andrea Best (Paul), Carmen Spiropoulos (Nick) and Teresa Harmon (Eric) and 9 Grandchildren whom she loved dearly; Alexandra, Ilse, James, Michael, Andrew, Henry, Roger, Markella and Walter and numerous friends around the world, including her dearest sister from another mother, Ilse Schulte.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 AM, November 27, 2024 at St. Mary of the Hills Church, 2675 John R. Rd., Rochester Hills, MI with a reception to follow. The Erickson family will greet guests via a visitation at 10:00 AM at the church.
Maria loved flowers and flowers are appreciated, but if you prefer in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Foundation.
Internment will follow privately in Ohio.