Phyllis L. Erickson

1931 - 2024

Phyllis Lucille Erickson, age 92, of Manhattan, died Monday, October 1, 2024, at the Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community in Manhattan following a brief battle with cancer.

She was born on November 11, 1931, in Akaska, South Dakota, the daughter of Edward and Rose (Lapp) Hanson. When she was 16 her family moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota, where Phyllis graduated from Aberdeen High School. Phyllis attended Northern State Teachers College (now Northern State University) in Aberdeen, where she earned her bachelor's degree. She taught high school English, and later attended the University of Washington where she received a master's degree in library science.

Upon graduation Phyllis took a position as a reference librarian at South Dakota State University in Brookings, where she met her husband Donald Erickson in 1963. They were united in marriage on August 23, 1964, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Brookings, South Dakota. Don preceded Phyllis in death on May 17, 2023.

Phyllis and Don moved to Manhattan in 1966 when he accepted a position at Kansas State University. Phyllis also worked at Kansas State as a reference librarian. She and Don were active members of First Lutheran Church in Manhattan for over 40 years. In addition to teaching Sunday School with Don, she was a member of Lydia Circle, provided funeral lunches, and worked at the church food pantry. Phyllis also enjoyed playing in bridge groups, and traveling with Don in their travel trailer after retirement. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren.

In addition to Don, she was preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers Jim Hanson and Dennis Hanson.

Phyllis is survived by her daughters, Sara Erickson and her husband Dr. Scott McClain, of Manhattan; Sonja Erickson and her husband Dr. Rusty Monhollon, of Lawrence, Kansas; her brother Arlo Hanson (Marilyn) of Omaha, Nebraska; her four grandchildren: Connor and Calyssa McClain, Davis and Rachael Monhollon Erickson and Rusty's two sons, Richard and Daniel Monhollon. Phyllis' family is grateful for the kind and loving care provided by Meadowlark Hills, especially the staff at Bramlage House.

The family will greet friends during a visitation on Monday, October 7, from 12:00 to1:30 p.m. at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan.

Funeral services will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel. Pastor Stephen Haverlah will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in memory of Phyllis to First Lutheran Church in Manhattan. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.

Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.