Kathleen Ann Erickson

It is with great sadness that we are sharing the passing of our mother, Kathleen Erickson. She passed away in her home in Woodbury, MN on Sunday, October 22, 2023 after an extensive battle with cancer.

Kathy was born to Philip and Mabel (Dibbie) Hopfner, July 26th 1941 in Alexandria, MN. According to her parents it was 100 degrees in the shade that day! Kathy attended Alexandria High School, graduating in 1959. She then attended St. Cloud State University where she met her husband and our father Wayne Erickson, graduating in 1963. She became an elementary school teacher before marrying Wayne in 1964. Kathleen and Wayne had two children, Pamela and Allan. The family moved to Woodbury, MN in 1969. In 1976 the family moved to Faribault, MN where Kathy worked as a substitute teacher, held a variety of retail management positions, served on the City Council and ended her career as an English Language teacher. Everywhere she lived Kathy made many lifelong friends.

Kathy loved to be active, had a very competitive spirit and truly loved to travel. She saved many volumes of photo albums documenting her trips with her friends and family. Kathy loved her family fiercely and enjoyed spending time with her siblings, in-laws, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Nothing made her happier. She was quick with advice and was always there to help. We love her beyond measure.

Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, husband Wayne, brothers-in-law Eugene and Dennis Erickson and several very close cousins.

She is survived by: daughter Pamela Erickson Patrick (Charles), son Allan Erickson (Heidi), granddaughters: Nenah, Jannie, Sophie, Sarah, Marlina and great grandchildren: Lailah and Kingston, sisters Elizabeth Khawajkie (Patrick Hanin), Joan Lynn (Bill Ryder), brother John Hopfner (Janet), many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She will be missed always by all who know and love her.

Our family would like to express our deepest gratitude to Kathy’s care team: Amy Selly CNP, AOCNP at Allina Health Cancer Institute - Faribault, Vicki Hagen RN, Hospice Nurse, and Kelley Pietrzak BSW, LSW, Hospice Social Worker. Your care throughout this time, your love and kindness to our Mom and us cannot be overstated. Words cannot express to you how much you meant to her and to us. We’d also like to recognize the surgical oncology team at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, and the many other caring professionals who impacted our lives during her fight with cancer. To the staff at St. Therese in Woodbury, your love and support during this time was exceptional, a special thanks to Prince G. and Dee B. They made the unbearable somehow easier.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 4th, 2023 at the InterContinental Hotel, St. Paul Riverside, 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers our family would deeply appreciate donations to Hospice at Our Lady of Peace.

Private Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.