Deloris Elaine Erickson

Dee was born in St. Paul, MN to Ray and Myrtle Stow on April 9, 1924. She and her brother, Ken, grew up fast friends, children of the Great Depression. Dee was blessed with a prodigious memory and excelled at academics, “skipping” several grades and graduating from Harding HS at age 16. Forgoing a college scholarship, she proudly joined the work force during WWII and worked as a bookkeeper at KSTP radio for a number of years. After the war ended, she met a tall, handsome, and oh so comical Army veteran in spring 1946 and fell almost immediately for the love of her life, Wally Erickson. After a 2-year engagement, Dee and Wally were married in 1948.

As they started their lives together, Dee continued to work in bookkeeping while Wally earned degrees at Macalaster College and the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO. Following his passion for sports, Wally became a HS Mathematics teacher and coach for the Orono HS football and track teams. With a belief in themselves and a “can do” attitude, Dee and Wally purchased a residential lot in 1953 in Long Lake, MN. and set about designing and building by hand their first home. It took 3 years of carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electrical work, drywall and paint to finish. Once it was weathertight, they lived modestly in the house during construction eating their meals while sitting on the floor in their unfurnished home.

Dee and Wally started their family in 1956 with the birth of their first son, Paul, who was joined by a second son, Mark, in 1958. Beginning an adventure in 1957, Wally joined Systems Development Corporation (SDC) and became a true pioneer in the embryonic field of computers and the family moved repeatedly across the country, living in 9 different locations in 5 years before settling in Canoga Park, CA in 1962. Dee and Wally (and their sons) lost their hearts to California in the 1960’s but were forced by recession in 1970 to move to Madison, WI. and then again in 1971 to McLean, VA where Dee and Wally lived for the remainder of their lives.

Dee and Wally joined Immanuel Presbyterian Church in 1973 where they remained active members for nearly 50 years. Charter members of “Amen Corner”, both of them actively served the congregation by leading work camps for youth and serving on Session (Wally) and volunteering in the office, working on church bulletins, and making and delivering meals through “Meals on Wheels” (Dee). They joyously celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with immediate family in 1998.

After Wally passed away in 2004, Dee lived independently in their home until 2012 when she moved to Chesterbrook Residences in Falls Church. She continued to start her day each morning by reading scripture and thanking God for the many blessings bestowed on her. She made it a purpose of her life to welcome all new members at Chesterbrook and engage each person she met in personal conversation. She brought a ray of sunshine into each encounter with an “I see you” look into their eyes, her reliably cheery greeting and strong handshake.

Dee is survived by her sons, Mark Erickson, Paul and Drayanne Erickson, and 3 grandchildren, Christian Erickson, Sarah Erickson Gaydos, and Paul Story.

A memorial service and celebration of Dee’s life will be held at 2:00 PM EDT at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in McLean, VA. with the Pastor Aaron Fulp-Eickstaedt presiding. The service will be live-stream broadcast and will be posted afterwards on YouTube for friends and family who wish to join the service remotely from afar. Dee’s ashes will be interred in a private family ceremony next to her beloved Wally in the Grear Memorial Garden at Immanuel.

The family asks that any donations or memorials in Dee’s memory be given to the Arthritis Foundation.