Meredith Joyce Erickson

Meredith Joyce Erickson, 72 of Traverse City, died October 21, 2015. Meredith will be dearly missed by all. She touched everyone she knew or met in an instant, with warm kindness and smiles, as if that was what she had on her list to do that very day. She was the best mother, sister, aunt, friend, Grammy, sister-in-law, and partner in life with Dick. She was truly a real time angle spreading God's love! To bump into Meredith always brightened anyone's day! Meredith was born on January 25, 1943 in Escanaba to Robert Francis and Dorothy (Eriksen) VanEffen. She attended Escanaba Sr. High school where she met Richard in the school Band. The two later married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Escanaba, on June 13, 1964. The couple lived in Green Bay, Cheboygan, and Traverse City. Meredith studied nursing at Northern Michigan University, and became an LPN. She also became the owner and creator of Port of Old Mission. She was an active, vibrant member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, helping with anything from Bible School to Prayer Shawls. Meredith also was an active member of Old Mission Women’s Club, a loving, community-minded group making a difference through a variety of projects; a favorite of Meredith’s being the annual Christmas Stocking Project. Meredith was a Figure Skating Coach at the Glacier Dome, and a descendant of Norwegian Viking Lore, Erik the Red! She deeply enjoyed her family and friends. Her hobbies and joys of life were homemaking, decorating, Holidays, baking Christmas cookies, grandchildren, adventures with Richard; usually on a 2-track traveling to Hawaii, Norway, any State Park, and searching for Leland Blues, Petoskey stones, and beach glass. She had a love for Traverse City like no other; our beautiful nature and culture is all right here. She frequently attended the Symphony, the Old Town Playhouse, and Interlochen. She pursued the study of Restaurant Research (i.e. eating out) and any grandchild's school program. Meredith portrayed kindness, grace, and love with a beautiful smile. It was an honor to have her here for 72 years! She was the best Gram ever, and OUR LIVES HAVE BEEN ENRICHED! She is survived by her children, Sally J. Erickson and Kristin A. Erickson; siblings, Bob (Lin) VanEffen, Debbie (Denny) Renken, and Rick (Diane) VanEffen; her grandchildren Channing and Regin Bornschein, and Kine and Isak Overholt; and many nephews, nieces, cousins and in-laws. Meredith was preceded in death by the love of her life, husband Richard R. Erickson in 2010, her sister Barbara VanEffen Johnson, and her grandchild, Hailey Overholt. A visitation will be held for family and friends on Friday, November 6, 2015 from 6-8 p.m. at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. A memorial service will be held at the church on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 11:00am, with Pastor Paul presiding, with a visitation on hour prior. Following the funeral will be a luncheon at the church, and burial at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens at 3 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church Fellowship, Old Mission Women’s Club, or the Women’s Resource Christmas Stocking Project. Special thanks to the Ladies of the Old Mission Women’s Club. Please share your thoughts and memories with Meredith’s family by way of her online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Meredith Joyce Erickson

January 25, 1943 - October 21, 2015