She was born on January 30, 1922 in Chicago Illinois to August and Elodie Van Bogaert and was the second of four children.
Mary grew up in Chicago and spent summers at her Uncles’ farms in Michigan. During WWII, she moved to St. Louis and worked in an ammunition factory through the war. Mary moved to Everett, Wa the summer of 1947. While in Everett, Mary met the love of her life Forrest Erickson. Together they owned and operated Erik's Meat Markets for over two decades. During their free time they enjoyed bowling and spending time at their lake house on Sunday Lake. Mary could always be found at her sons' sporting events, participating in bazaars selling handmade gifts and was President of the Second Chance Club. In later years, she was very active in local Pinochle and Bunco groups and was an avid Mariner's fan.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Hank and Joe; and sister, Fran.
She is survived by her two sons, Jon (Karen) Erickson of Mill Creek, WA and Jeff (Karen) Erickson of Las Vegas, NV; and three daughters, Noreen Quanstrom of Bend, OR, Jan Hughes of Medford OR, and Sandy Bonati of Colorado Springs, CO; twelve grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren and twelve great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Esther McChesney of Everett and Peggy Van Bogaert of Chicago, IL.
