Genevieve "Jen" Ann Erickson

Genevieve “Jen” Ann Erickson, age 89, passed away peacefully under hospice care on the evening of Sunday August 4, 2024.

A memorial service will be 10:30 AM on September 16, 2024, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota with Pastor Drew Riter officiating. Burial will be in the Vangen Lutheran Cemetery in Mission Hill, South Dakota. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the memorial service at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home.

Born to John and Mary (McCarthy) Oswald on January 3, 1935, she was raised in Yankton, South Dakota. On January 1, 1955, she married Earl Jerome “Jerry” Erickson of Gayville, SD, at Dalesburg Lutheran Church in Vermillion, SD. Upon their marriage they moved to San Diego, CA, where Jerry was serving in the United States Navy. For many years they were active members of Gethsemane Lutheran Church. They enjoyed ballroom dancing and were active in various dinner-dance clubs. They will be remembered for hosting elaborate family Christmas celebrations. They resided in San Diego County for fifty years before retiring to Arizona.

Jen was a devoted mother to their three children. She volunteered at their schools, served as a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout leader and girls softball coach. She was a talented cook and baker.

Genevieve is survived by her husband of 69 years, Earl Jerome “Jerry” Erickson, her daughter LaVonne Ann “Vonnie” Zeledon (Kim) of Anthem, AZ, daughter Julie Lynn Christian of Colorado Springs, CO, son Steven Jerome Erickson (Laurie) of Lake Havasu City, AZ, grandchildren Jason Zeledon (Aurora), Jenna Bollman (Tim), Jordan Zeledon (Chanel), Andrea Christian Heinecke (Matt), Bradley Christian (Lauren), Tyler Christian (Leah), Heather Molchanoff (Daniel), Brittany Fowler (Stephen), Holly McNutt (Austin), Landon Erickson (Chelsea) and Billy Erickson (Rylee), seventeen great-grandchildren, sister Kaye Loland of Omaha, NE, sister-in-law Marie Erickson of Gayville, SD as well as many nieces and nephews.

Genevieve was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Oswald, brother Donald Oswald, sister-in-law Joan Oswald, sister Joyce Westergaard, brother-in-law Donald Westergaard and brother-in-law Gale Erickson.