Carol Erickson, 75, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at OSF St. Anthony's in Rockford, IL. Carol was born to Art and Theresa Damrau on October 13, 1948, in Rib Lake, Wisconsin. As the third born of seven children, Carol spent her early days working with her family on the farm. After graduating from Rib Lake High School in 1966, she moved to Belvidere with her family, where she worked as a telephone operator at GTE in Genoa and later Green Giant. She worked there for almost 35 years before retiring in 2005. She was an avid bowler for many years and enjoyed softball. As a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, she loved singing the traditional hymns. Carol was a beloved wife, mother, stepmother, daughter, sister, aunt, Grammy, and friend. She was known for her fierce love for her children and grandchildren, a biting wit, and her love of baseball.

Carol lived a blessed life with her husband, Dewane for almost 35 years. They met at church and became best friends, marrying in 1989. They worked hard, supported their children, traveled to visit family, and were their children and grandchildren's biggest fans. For many years, they attended Green Bay Packer games as part of the Illinois Packer Backers. They enjoyed watching baseball together and traveled to see the Cubs at spring training. They loved supporting their children and grandchildren at sports competitions, concerts, boy scout activities, church events, and helping them raise livestock for 4H.

Carol believed in using her gifts and blessings to help others and supported many charitable foundations, mostly those that provided food, housing, or medical care to children. She demonstrated great strength and resolve, always putting one foot in front of the other, no matter what life threw her way. She battled cancer courageously for the last 5 years with her husband Dewane supporting her every step of the way. She was gracious and grateful until the end, thanking hospital staff for taking such great care of her. She lived her life with faith and love for God, keeping written prayer lists of all her loved ones for whom she prayed each night. Carol will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her, but all can be sure that she is still praying for each of them every night.

She is survived by her husband and best friend, Dewane Erickson; their children, Annette (Ken) Brown, Tom (Patti) Wickre MSGT USAF Ret., James Erickson, Christi Wickre, and Bethany-Buffy (Joe) Tangen; their grandchildren, Katie (Bryon) Coan, Jacob Brown, Tiffany Brown, Tim Wickre MMN2 USN, Tami (Dewey) Huffmon, Abby (Joshua) Anders, Brooke Wickre, DJ Erickson, Ellie Cole, Jaiden Cole, Thomas Tangen, Tabetha Tangen, and Theodore Tangen; their great-grandchildren, Nevaeh Coan, Walker Coan, Harry Coan and Alucard Coan; her siblings, Arlene Judnic, Ed (Carmen) Damrau, Diane (Earl) Weber, Shary (Terry) Yerk, Gary (Amy) Damrau, and Linda (Tim) Glenn; brother-in-law, Darrell (Donna) Erickson and Sister-in-Law, Beverly (Tom) Starzynski; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Theresa (Mann) Damrau; mother in-law, Betty Erickson; her stepson, Justin Erickson, sister-in-law, Marie Damrau; and brother-in-law, Harvey Judnic;

A funeral service to celebrate Carol's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 8, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Belvidere, with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM. Rev. Keith Richard will officiate. Interment to follow service at Belvidere, IL.

May Carol's memory be a blessing to all who knew her.