Merilyn Elizabeth Erickson

Merilyn was born May 16, 1944 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota to Erwin and Elvira Tong. She passed away on January 5, 2019. She contracted polio (infantile paralysis) at the age of two and spent months at a time in Gillette Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota over the next 15 years. She graduated from high school in Detroit Lakes. She graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1966 with a degree in special education. She was married to Thomas Erickson on September 21, 1963. They lived in Grand Forks, North Dakota until Tom entered the U. S. Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island in May of 1966. Merilyn remained to finish her degree, graduated in June of 1966 and joined Tom in Newport. Leaving Newport, they lived briefly in Washington DC, then spent a year in Seattle until Tom transferred to NAS Cubi Point in the Philippine Islands where they lived for two years. Upon completion of his tour of duty in 1969 they returned to the Seattle area to live. Merilyn (Mary to family) taught Special Education in the Edmonds School District from 1967 until retiring in 2004 due to failing health. Once her children entered elementary school she worked part time as an assistant in Special Education to enable her to be home with them when they came home from school. After retiring she tutored students, donating her time. The more challenging and difficult the student the greater the reward to her as she saw them progress. She was a truly dedicated teacher, mother, grandmother and wife. She was dedicated to the church, was a choir member and Stephen Minister. She was a friend to all and truly wanted to help others. She accomplished this throughout her life, never once considering herself as handicapped or disabled.

Merilyn enjoyed traveling, both nationally and internationally. She and Tom traveled extensively from their base in the Philippines to places like India, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong and to many others too numerous to mention. She even hiked to the shore of Crater Lake in Oregon, on crutches no less. She used crutches from age two, eventually relying on a wheel chair as she aged. Since the late 90’s, she and Tom were frequent travelers to their favorite spot in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and even a trip to Peru.

Merilyn is survived by her husband Tom, daughters Cassandra (Mark) Raker, Tamara (Raul) Carranza; granddaughters Emma and Julia Raker and Angelina Carranza; sisters JoAnn (Bruce) Herzog, Julie Grine, brother John Tong as well as many nieces, nephews and so many wonderful friends. She is preceded in death by her grandson Tyler Raker, sister Sharon and niece Christine. She is deeply missed, we rejoice in the great memories of her life and find comfort that she is now free of the pain and suffering she so gallantly endured and is at peace with God.