Cover photo for Elaine Erikson's Obituary
Elaine Erikson Profile Photo

Elaine Erikson

May 15, 1943 — January 11, 2025

Elaine Louise Erikson (Alberts), age 81, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 11, 2025, in Maryland surrounded by her family.


Born May 15, 1943, Elaine was the oldest of three children of Lester Alberts and Johannah Alberts (Thaden). The family moved often for ministry, residing at various times in Kentucky and New York. Elaine earned her teaching degree from Cobleskill College where she met her husband, William Erikson of 50 years. They lived in New York where children Kimberly, Ryen and Keith were born and then moved to Pennsylvania, where she taught seventh grade in Elizabethtown and they both retired as educators.


A traveler at heart, she adventured over the course of a long series of cross-country trips – beaches being her favorite. Closer to home, she enjoyed a good book and was avid at fitness, having logged many miles on her bike waving at every passerby, walking and swimming. Her students knew her best from her warm greeting and smile each day proclaiming, “You are wonderful!” Music and praise were central to her joy, and she loved to play the piano and instruct the little ones. Her children and grandchildren remember her for packing shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse – adding one more as each child was born over a span of more than 30 years. Most especially, she was known by her family for her devotion to scripture that she sent to everyone every day – keeping us connected in prayer.


A longtime resident of Lancaster County, she was preceded in death by her husband, Karl William Erikson, her infant son Derek, and her granddaughter Izzy. She is survived by her children, Kimberly Erikson of Sparks, Maryland; Ryen Erikson (Mary), of Joppa, Maryland; and Keith Erikson (Stephanie) of Mariposa, California; sisters, Shirely Puett and Linda Kurtz of Warwick, New York; 9 grandchildren; Deija, Noelle, Kiah, Ambur, Nathan, Waylon, Andrew, Audrey, Hannah and 2 great-grandchildren; Bowie and Raddix.


“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31


A private graveside service will be celebrated in the spring at the Old Stone Fort in New York.


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