Obituary of Joseph Sigfred Erickson

On the eighteenth of December 1928, Joseph Seigfried Erickson was born in Orland to Lillian and Joseph Erickson in the family home.  He was raised in Orland California and graduated from Orland High School in 1946.  During and after his school years Joe worked for his father, Joseph Erickson, at Erickson’s Home Furnishings.  Joe served in the United States Navy Reserve from 1950 to 1954, receiving an honorable discharge.  While dating Shirley Ashcroft, Joe had a desire to fly and joined the Flyers Club at the Orland Airport, obtaining his pilot’s license and flying to various places for business and fun.  After marrying Shirley and having four wonderful children, in 1967 they decided to move across the pacific to the island of Oahu.  While there, Joe worked in sales for Sears Roebuck & Co. for 10 years.

In 1977 Joe and Shirley moved back to the mainland to Santa Cruz, California.  Joe worked again in sales at a furniture store in Watsonville and did a short stint in Bakersfield California.  Upon retiring, Joe and Shirley decided to resettle a stone throw eastward from where they both grew up, Chico, California, which brought them closer to their youngest son and his family.

These years of Joe’s life were filled with joy watching his grandchildren play sports and attending all their events.  He was active in the church and sang in the choir with Shirley.  Going on adventure after adventure included many cruises with his wife to exotic locations such as Greece, Mexico, and the Caribbean.  He also went on frequent trips to Hawaii, Carson City, Nevada, and North Carolina so he and Shirley could visit their children and grandchildren.

In 2015, Shirley started showing early signs of Dementia.  Sadly, as it progressed, she would forget many, many things…but there is one thing she refused to forget, her loving husband Joe who remained her best friend for 71 years.  Joe cared for her until the very end, holding her hand, giving her kisses, and telling her he loved her.

We will miss his love for his family and especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He was steadfast in his faith and kept his family always in his prayers.  We are comforted by the knowledge that he is now with the love of his life Shirley and our Lord and Savior in Heaven.

Joe is survived by his children Craig Erickson (Vicki) of Raleigh, North Carolina and their 2 daughters Hannah (Mack) and Rachel Erickson; Candy Rodrigues (Mike) of Chico, California and her 2 sons, Adam Rodrigues (Simone) and their child Penelope; and Jonah Rodrigues (Deanna); Duane (Heidi) Erickson of Chico, California and their children, Mallory Garcia (Blake) and their children Karson and Colin; Zachary Erickson; Hailey Bolanos (Chris) and their child Brewer; and Jolie Higgins (Sid) of Dayton, Nevada and their 2 sons, Shane (Amy) and Nicholas Higgins.