Dorothy Maude Erickson

Dorothy (Dottie/ Dot) Maude Jacob Erickson, 81, passed away on June 16, 2026 in Loveland, CO. She was born in Brownwood, TX on March 17, 1945 to Bernard & Leona Jacob. She had four siblings, Louis, Paul (Jeanne), Andrew (died at 20 days old) and Betty (John). Her family moved to Yakima, WA in January of 1948 when she was 3 years old.

Mom graduated high school in 1963 and went to Yakima Junior College to study business. As a senior, she got a scholarship for $2,500. After attending college for one year, mom wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, so she returned the remaining money, making sure another student would be able to use it.

Later, mom went to work at Boeing as a Parts Coordinator in Renton, WA. She worked there for 3.5 years along with Grandpa Bernard. They rented a little house with an outhouse - “a bath & a path.” They would drive 3 hours each way to go home on the weekends so grandpa could continue to take care of the apple orchards. She loved the time she got to spend with him during those car rides.

Mom met and married Herb Erickson in 1968. They moved to Denver and had 4 children, Todd (Tamara), Russell, Clint (Jolene) and Suzi (Alan). She had 13 grandchildren (Laura, Abigail, Charlotte, Emily, Heidi, Lincoln, Garrett, Sergio, Andrew (Chantel), Nickoli (Mallory), Cody, Taylor (Kaila) and Carter. She was also blessed with 2 great grandchildren, Auryes and Zahra.

Mom had a lifelong love of learning and pursued many interests throughout her life including pharmacy, gardening and flowers (delphiniums and roses were 2 of her favorites), taking pictures, shopping, her children, friends and God. She felt like God was with her during her whole life. She made a profession of faith when she was 11 at Wiley Heights Covenant Church in Yakima. It was the single most impactful choice she made in her life, and God sustained her through many difficult times. When she found out she was going home with hospice care, she said, “Love your children and love God.”

Mom was a gentle spirit who loved her children fiercely. She had a quiet but hilarious sense of humor and always had room for “a little ice cream.” She eagerly looked for adventure and was willing and ready to try new things with her grandchildren’s supervision. She tried VR headsets, rode horses, fast slides, and even hoverboards. Mom loved to travel - making many road trips across the US to see family and friends. Some of her favorite trips were to Washington state for reunions and trips to church conventions to see dear friends.

She will be greatly missed and forever remembered.