Obituaries

Suzanne “Suzie” Janet Erickson of Batavia, IL, formerly of Park Ridge, IL, passed away on July 20, 2023 in Geneva, IL. She was born December 17, 1936 in Chicago to Alex Stephen and Ida Johanna (Diehl) Lawrence.

Honored to be called loving, caring, and adoring Wife, Mother, Grandma, GiGi (Great-Grandmother); Suzie Erickson was an amazing, vibrant, big-hearted pillar of her family.  Suzie and Harold were married in 1953 – when Suzie was 16 and Harold was 20, as he prepared to be drafted into the Korean War, but for various reasons, he did not go.  They recently celebrated their 70^th wedding anniversary this past April with a beautiful vow renewal ceremony.  She never finished high school but went to school to become a secretary while they were saving to build their Park Ridge house, then seven years later, started their family.  Suzie was a member of the Park Ridge Garden Club during the 1960s, and her Park Ridge and Batavia gardens were beautiful and lush.  As a figure skating mom, she made costumes for Michael Kirby Ice Skating School (Park Ridge) and Franklin Park Ice Arena and Northbrook Park District Skating School shows.

Suzie and Hal were hosts for many, many parties in their home, where she would serve beautiful smorgasbords of homemade delicious dishes! Her Austrian and Hungarian grandmothers taught her to cook and bake, and Suzie was widely known for her outstanding cookies!  At one time in her life, during the weeks prior to the holidays, she made 45 different kinds of cookie recipes, serving platters of them to her guests, and later giving cookie trays to people as a thank you for their hospitality to her and her husband.  Many commented that her cookies and hospitality were Blue Ribbon worthy.  Suzie’s quilts were handmade, hand stitched, artfully designed by herself, putting loving, personal touches into her beautiful artwork.  Each child, grandchild and great grandchild have at least 1 quilt made by Suzie.

As the wife of a Medinah Shriner, she made friends easily within the organization with her warm gift of love, conversation, and hospitality, and was loved by everyone who met and interacted with her.  She volunteered at Resurrection Hospital in Chicago, and because she loved children, also at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Oak Park.  Suzie ran the Chicago area group ticket sales for the Shriner’s Circus for many years, and then coordinated raffle prize procurement for the annual Medinah Shrine Ladies’ Fashion Show, which was always a “Smashing Success”.  Suzie and Hal loved to travel and went on many group tours all over Europe and several cruises, many with dear Shriner friends.  After moving to Batavia 24 years ago, she made close friends with neighbors, who, despite a 40-year age difference, became close like family, who often visit and make well checks.

As her family grew, she was most happy when her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren visited and came to spend Christmas day together.  As a December baby, she loved Christmas, and her house was decorated by the time Halloween was over, so she could enjoy it as long as possible.  She collected ornaments for the Christmas tree and could identify each ornament bought or acquired in cities across the world and those given to her by friends and family.  Most of all, as a stay-at-home mom, she raised three strong women, and each had a unique, strong relationship with her.  She prayed for and supported each daughter and their families.  Her daughters supported her in her elder years by driving her to/from appointments, doing chores, and getting together with her to bake cookies.  Suzie passed peacefully with her family at her side, sending her off into the arms of Jesus.

Suzie is preceded in death by her parents, Alex Stephen Lawrence and Ida Johanna Diehl Lawrence. She is survived by her husband, Harold Carl Erickson, Jr.; children, Lillian Erickson; Ami McCarthy (Kevin C McCarthy); Candice Erickson; grandchildren, Kayte Thomas; Edward Kupjack; Danielle LaFever (Weston LaFever); David Blagaich Jr.; and great-grandchildren, Ashley Neal; Tristan Neal; Dominic Thomas; Otto LaFever.

A Memorial Visitation will be held on July 28^th from 3:00-8:00 P.M. at Yurs Funeral Home in Geneva, with a Memorial Service at 7:00 P.M.. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children.

For more information, please call 630-232-7337.

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