Joan Erickson

Born March 5, 1932 in Chicago, Illinois, she was the daughter of parents known lovingly to the entire family as “Bud” and “Marie.”

Joan spent a good portion of her childhood in Florida gaining her lifelong love of the beach and adventure. She surfed, was captain of the cheerleader squad and participated in numerous theatrical performances in high school and college.

At one of these performances she met her future husband “Dick” who would be her lifelong love and companion. They were married on April 10, 1954 in Elkhart, Indiana, and moved to the mid-Michigan area shortly thereafter.

In an era of few female-owned businesses, Joan’s mother Marie founded and operated a travel agency and led group tours to Hawaii, Europe and around the U.S. Joan inherited this same business aptitude and love of travel that led her too into the travel industry. Joan and Dick, and often her entire family traveled the world for most of their married lives.

Later in life she could often be found in winter and spring months on the condo balcony “down south” taking in the sounds, scents and warmth of the beach. During warmer months in Michigan she looked forward to her meetings with her Red Hat friends.

Survivors include her two sons, two grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, Michigan on November 9, 2017, 10:00 a.m., with Rev. James Kocher officiating.

On line condolences may be made at www.greastlansing.com