Ruth Ellen Erickson

Ruth Ellen (Winkel) Erickson
(November 4, 1941-August 11, 2025)
Litchfield - After a long, courageous battle with small cell lung cancer that spread throughout her body, Ruth's spirit has passed on to be with Jesus.
Raised in the Rapid City, South Dakota area, Ruth lived many places before settling happily for the last 40 years in Litchfield, Connecticut. Nestled among many kind and wonderful friends, Litchfield was her home. She lived out the last year of her life in that home with the companionship and care of her children, Michelle Lusk and Jeffrey Erickson. Until recent years, Ruth was a devoted member of the First Congregational Church of Litchfield, where she served in many roles including the board of Deacons. She loved the FCC of Litchfield and the many friends she made there. In more recent years, she was welcomed to the embrace of believers at The First Congregational Church of Torrington, whose congregation has been very supportive throughout her health challenges.
Most of her life, Ruth was an OR Nurse at The Waterbury Hospital. A 1962 graduate of St. John's McNamara School of Nursing in Rapid City, South Dakota, she maintained friendships with her classmates to this very day. Many have passed, but none are forgotten through calls and correspondence and reunions Ruth helped organize over the years. Ruth has many lifelong friends who love her and will miss her until God's promised grand reunion to come. After Ruth retired from The Waterbury Hospital, she volunteered her time to bring comfort to others. She taught knitting, and provided much needed companionship to women from McAuliffe Manor, a rehabilitation center in the old jail house in Litchfield Connecticut. Ruth was a volunteer for Litchfield Hospice and Patient Services at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. Ruth was also a member of the Litchfield Beautification Commission.
Ruth is survived by her daughter, Michelle Lusk (David), their daughter Shannon (fiancé Toby). She is also survived by her son Jeffrey Erickson (Fran), his daughter Danielle (fiancé Troy) and his son Chase. Ruth's grandchildren lovingly called her Mor Mor and she had a special relationship that she cherished with each of them. Ruth is also survived by her brother, Cubby Winkel (Judy) and their children and grandchildren. She also leaves behind many beloved Erickson relatives.
Ruth's family and friends have surrounded, shared, and enjoyed many grand adventures with her over decades. She loved to travel, and there are many photo albums of each of these adventures. Memories without number have brought her great joy in life. She leaves this world having loved and having been loved.
A celebration of life will be on October 18th (11am) at The First Congregational Church in Torrington, Connecticut. Ruth desired her ashes be scattered in the Black Hills of Rapid City, South Dakota and the Lusk family will have a remembrance for her during that process.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Drs. Ashita Talsania and Elizabeth Whalen and the wonderful team of people at the Smilow Cancer Center and Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Radiation and Oncology in Torrington. The last few months of Ruth's life, she was taken care of by the warm-hearted team of nurses, aids, PT/OT, and staff from SVNA, Litchfield Visiting Nurses and Hospice, Charter Oak Home Care, and We Care For You, that supported her with dignity and kindness throughout her home-based healthcare and end of life journey.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Ruth's name to The Little Guild Animal Shelter, in West Cornwall Connecticut. That is where Ruth adopted her beloved Rosie, her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from many years ago.
The Little Guild, 285 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike, West Cornwall, CT 06796
Kindly visit www.thurstonrowefuneralhome.com to send the family an online condolence.
*Photo taken by Jill Davenport of Litchfield Hills Photography