Clara Straub Erickson

Mom was born December 31, 1926, in St. Maries, ID, to Henry Straub and Eliza (Heimark) Straub. Mom was very proud of her Volga River German heritage and lamented the fact that she was never able to visit the two Volga River cities that bear her ancestor's name, Straub and New Straub. Mom attended school in St. Maries, where she met and dated Dad, Eugene "Gene" Erickson, during her high school years. Dad left town to join the Navy and, upon his return after WW II, he married Mom on October 12, 1947. They would have celebrated their 63rd Wedding Anniversary this year. Mom and Dad moved to many towns as Dad advanced his career with General Telephone Co. Stops were made in Orofino, Coeur d'Alene and Silverton, Idaho; then to Chelan and, finally, Wenatchee in 1959. Sons, Christopher and Douglas, were born in Coeur d'Alene, Scot in Silverton, and finally daughter, Katrina, in Chelan. Family, friends, and church family meant everything to Mom, as evidenced by all of the extended family camping trips throughout the years and the many family gatherings. She was scorekeeper for all of the boys little league baseball teams that Dad coached and was Katrina's #1 fan, whether it was playing Powder Puff football in Junior High or soccer in High School. She would attend her grandkids' soccer games in Renton and Redmond, come rain or shine (mostly rain over there!). Mom knitted many slippers, caps and afghans for family and friends over the years. She never met a recipe she didn't like and she tried new dishes as often as possible. If you were ever in a waiting room and found a magazine with a recipe ripped out, it was probably Mom. Later in life, Mom enjoyed exercising her mind with the word scramble and the afternoon crossword puzzle in the paper. Mom and Dad had a very social life, making many longtime friends in every town and city they lived in, through all of the social groups and functions they involved themselves in. Mom worked for the Wenatchee School District for many years as the head Administrative Assistant at Castlerock School. The Erickson family enjoyed many summers at the "modular home" (it's not a trailer!) at Watson's Harverene Resort on Lake Chelan. After retirement, Mom and Dad began RVing and became snowbirds, traveling the width and breadth of the United States and Canada. They went through three motorhomes, the last two being Holiday Rambler coaches, which, of course, led to various stints as President, Secretary and Wagon Masters of the local Holiday Rambler's Owners' Chapter. Mom and Dad hung up RVing in 2007, and stayed at the family home. After 51 years in the same house in Wenatchee, they decided to take advantage of the amenities offered at the Columbia Heights Retirement Community, where they rekindled old friendships and built new ones with both the residents and the staff. They moved in just prior to Christmas in 2009, and have loved it ever since. One of the last things Mom said to her daughter, Katrina, was that family, friends and church family meant the most to her and we know that she will be greatly missed by all of those whom she knew and loved. Mom was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Eliza Straub; step-mother, Mary Straub; brothers, Hank and Victor; and sisters, Leah, Rachel, Martha, and Joyce. She is survived by her sister, Sarah Mason in St. Maries, ID; sons, Christopher (Kelli) of Medford, OR, Douglas (Pamela) of Sammamish, WA and Scot (Janet) of East Wenatchee; and daughter, Katrina (David) Miller of Renton, WA. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kristine LeRoss (Brad) and great-grandson, Raymond; David Erickson (Racheal) and Michelle Erickson; Ashley Erickson; Brooks, Graeme and Joshua Erickson; and Peter, Jennifer and Katrina Miller. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 18, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., at Grace Lutheran Church, 1408 Washington Street, Wenatchee. Those who wish may make memorials to the Salvation Army. Arrangements are by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Clara Straub Erickson

December 31, 1926 - September 8, 2010