Mary Ann Elizabeth Erickson, 88, of McPherson, passed away at 2:10 a.m., Wednesday, January 30th, 2019 peacefully, at Brookdale McPherson.
Mary Ann was born at her parents farm, Kansas on May 17, 1930, a daughter of Mary (Vopat) and Frank A Mattas.
Mary Ann attended the Wilson grade schools and graduated from Wilson High School, Wilson, Kansas. She then attended and graduated from Salt City Business School, Hutchinson, Kansas.
She was a member of New Gottland Lutheran Church McPherson, Kansas, where she was a member of WELCA, and served on the social committee which included, wedding and anniversary receptions, funeral dinners, auctions, and bible school snacks for the kids.
Mary Ann was a homemaker, peace maker, and referee and she took great pride in providing for her family in this manner. She also worked as a secretary for Melvin Johanson at the McPherson County Court House; and served on the Election Board for many years.
Mary Ann was a member of the Home Supreme EHU. She enjoyed getting together with friends to play cards, crocheting and knitting, working in her flower gardens, was a good cook and baker, making homemade Root Beer every Christmas and for LeRoy’s birthday; homemade ice cream, all the time; and spending time with her grandchildren and family. Mary Ann also volunteered at Save – N – Share.
Mary Ann Mattas was united in marriage to LeRoy Theodore Erickson on November 1, 1952 at McPherson, Kansas. The young couple established their first home together in McPherson on Hulse Street. This union was blessed with the birth of six children, four sons and two daughters, Garry, Richard, Steven, Sarah, Michael, and Sandra. The family moved to the old Swanson place in the New Gottland area. LeRoy died on December 25, 2012.
She is survived by her children, Garry Erickson and wife Teresa, Richard Erickson, Steve Erickson and wife Laraine, Sarah Burk and husband Wesley, Jr., and Sandy Fishback and husband Dale, all of McPherson, Kansas; her sister, Frances Arnold, of Pearland, Texas; her 10 grandchildren, Lisa Goodin (Seth), Katherine Loder (Chad), Amy Rozelle, Tim Erickson (Stephanie), Wiley Shearhart, Erik Burk (Heather R.), Heather M. Burk, Ethan Burk (Kaylee), Nathan Fishback, and Mandi Sims; her 17 great-grandchildren, Kaylee Loder, Caden Loder, Raegan Goodin, Allison Rozelle, Maya Rozelle, Laya Erickson, Kendall Erickson, London Erickson, Grady Burk, Sterling Burk, Aiden Burk, Bryson Burk, Naomi Fishback, Daezia Harris, Dayana Fishback, Jasyn Edwards, and Kolbie Sims; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Michael Erickson; her husband LeRoy Erickson; brothers, Frank, Henry, Emil, and Father Louis Mattas; and a sister, Rose Pearce.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 3, 2019 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Glidden – Ediger Chapel, McPherson.
Private family burial will be held at the New Gottland Lutheran Cemetery, McPherson, Kansas.
Memorial service will be held at New Gottland Lutheran Church, McPherson, Kansas, at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 4th, 2019 with Reverend Harry Grinstad officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Gottland Lutheran Church and they can be sent in care of the Glidden – Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson, Kansas 67460.