Shirley Erickson, of Thief River Falls, MN, passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Sanford Medical Center, with her family by her side, at the age of 82.

A Visitation will take place from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN.  A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 PM.

A Celebration of Life Gathering honoring Durwood and Shirley Erickson will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 10:30 AM until 1:00 PM at the Legacy Event Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Shirley Louise Kruckenberg was born on February 26, 1941 in Palatine, Illinois, the daughter of Wilbert and Florence (Bergh) Kruckenberg.  She attended school and grew to adulthood in Illinois.

On November 21, 1959 Shirley was married to Durwood Erickson at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Lake Zurich, IL.  For several years they lived in Illinois until they moved to Minnesota in 1966, eventually making their home in St. Hilaire.  In 1988 Shirley and Durwood moved to Tennessee where they spent the next 29 years before coming back to Minnesota in 2016.

For many years, Shirley was employed at McDonald's in Thief River Falls, and while living in Tennessee she worked in the Jewelry Department at Walmart until her retirement.

Shirley loved arts and crafts, knitting, crocheting, sewing, cross-stitch, cooking, baking, gardening, watching football, Nascar, roller skating, playing cards with friends, and spending time with her family – especially her grandkids and great-grandkids.  Shirley and Durwood enjoyed traveling to many interesting places.

Shirley is survived by her children, Debra Fields and Michael (Vicky) Erickson; grandchildren, Kevin Lerol, Shawn (Kyri) Lerol, Angie (Arron) LaGreca, Melissa (Daniel) Vaughn, Aaron (Angie) Erickson, Zack Erickson, and Brandon Erickson; great-grandchildren, Landen, Riley, Owen, Avery, Mason, Brooklyn, Carson, AJ, Alex, Asher, Olivia, Xyla, Leonidas, and Kenly; brother, Mark (Teresa) Kruckenberg; sisters, Linda (Steve) Kavich and Michelle Scannell; and several nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Durwood; son, Durwood Owen William "Dukie" Erickson; grandson, Nathan Lerol; her parents, Wilbert and Florence Kruckenberg; her brother, David (Judy) Kruckenberg; and infant brother, William Kruckenberg.