Shirley Ruth Rosengren Erickson

Shirley (nee Abend) Rosengren Erickson, formerly of Gaastra, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2014, at the Lasata Care Center, in Cedarburg, WI, at the age of 92 years. Shirley was born on January 2, 1922, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of the late Felix Abend and the late Margaret (nee Freund) Abend. She was united in marriage to Leslie Rosengren from Crystal Falls, Michigan on March 29, 1941 in Chicago. They lived in Markham, Illinois for ten years and then moved to Crystal Falls, Michigan. Their marriage was blessed with seven children, Judith, Sandra, Russell, Roger, Kenneth, Gary and Cheryl Ann. Shirley had to endure many obstacles throughout her life, which made her a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. She had to endure the tragic loss of her husband, Leslie, and daughter, Cheryl Ann, in a traffic accident in December of 1969; as well as the loss of her son, Roger, in September, 2003. On May 1, 1976, Shirley was united in marriage to John Erickson from Parkers Prairie, Minnesota at Friedens Evangelical Church, in Port Washington. Together, they lived in Port Washington and Saukville, until John’s retirement, when they decided to move to Gaastra, Michigan. John preceded her in death, passing away in May of 2003. Shirley was a wonderful homemaker and enjoyed baking, canning, cooking, sewing, knitting, crocheting, reading, and providing for her family and friends. She filled many lives with happiness and our hearts with love. A Celebration of Shirley’s Life will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2014, 2PM at First Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Cedarburg. The family will receive friends on Sunday, at the church, from 1PM until the time of service. She will be laid to rest at the Stambaugh Cemetery, in Michigan on Saturday, August 30, 2014. Memorials of your choice are appreciated. Shirley will be sadly missed by her children, Judy (Jerry) Demerath of Saukville, WI, Sandi Anderson of Beaver Dam, WI, Russell (Kathy) Rosengren, of Fredonia, WI, Ken (Elaine) Rosengren, of Cedarburg, WI, and Gary Rosengren, of Marquette, MI. She was blessed with 20 grandchildren, Doreen, Deanene, Darren, Dennis, Michael, Sherlyn, Roxanne, Lauri, Willy, Shelly, Lesley, Susie, Chad, Dustin, Roger Jr., Kevin, Shirley, Leigh, Kimberly, and Kyle. She is further survived by daughter-in-law, Karen Rosengren, of Iron River, MI, godchild, Nancylee Patrick, 31 great-grandchildren, 16 great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Shirley was preceded in death by her two husbands, Leslie Rosengren and John Erickson, daughter, Cheryl Ann Rosengren, son, Roger Rosengren, grandson, Daniel Rosengren, great-grandson, Jerrad Mueller, sister, Luella Vorisek, and brothers, Bernard and Norman Abend. The family would like to acknowledge the special care given to Shirley by the staff at Lasata Care Center where she was a resident for the past 6 years.