Shirley A. (Nordling) Erickson

Shirley Arlene (Nordling) Erickson passed away peacefully on May 12, 2025, surrounded by the deep love of her family and her unwavering faith in Christ. She was 91 years old.

Born on May 5, 1934, in Hallock, Minnesota, to Gust and Svea Nordling, Shirley was raised with a love for learning, a heart for service, and a deep Christian faith.

Shirley attended Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, receiving the Christian education her parents so deeply desired for their children. Shirley met the love of her life, Rev. Dr. James Erickson, in the summer of 1957 in the emergency room of Swedish Covenant Hospital, where she worked as a receptionist. He was there just one day before he was scheduled to report to the National Naval Medical Center. Their love story officially began in that ER and culminated in their wedding on December 26, 1959, at North Park College’s Isaacson Chapel, with Jim’s father officiating. A true partner in life and ministry, Shirley embraced the life of a military wife with grace and strength. Over the course of their beautiful 65-year marriage, they lived in 34 different houses across 12 states and one foreign country. Because of Shirley’s loving presence, however, no house was ever just a house, as Shirley had a way of turning every place into a loving home, no matter how long or short a time they lived there. Her spiritual gift of helping others was evident in every season of life—seeing needs before they were spoken and offering care before it was asked for.

Throughout her life, Shirley held various professional roles—chairside dental assistant, office assistant, map company employee, hospital admitting clerk, and more—but her most enduring work was her care for family and others. She returned to college several times because of moves, pursuing her education in California, Florida, and Massachusetts before finishing her psychology degree at Bowie State University in Maryland. She later completed a psychology internship at the DeKalb County Mental Health Center in DeKalb, IL.

Shirley had a heart for community and service. She volunteered with the Red Cross as a “Gray Lady,” cared for young military wives, helped young sailors with their finances, and served church communities wherever they lived. She also gave her time to the Boy Scouts, Indian Scouts, NOAA Officers’ Wives Club, and local homeowners associations. Wherever they lived, she found a church home and became deeply involved in teaching Sunday school and serving however and wherever she could. Her faith wasn’t flashy—it was practical, real, and consistent. Hers was the genuine kind of everyday faith that the world needs more of.

More than anything, Shirley loved being a mother. She cherished running the household and caring for her children, pouring her heart into creating a warm, nurturing, and joy-filled home. Her family was her greatest treasure, and her role as a mom was the one she held most dear. She adored reading (especially in book clubs), crossword puzzles, flower arranging, painting, card games, and cheering on her beloved Chicago Cubs and Bears, no matter where in the world she was living. She also passed on important life lessons to her grandchildren even as she filled their lives with warmth and laughter.

Shirley is survived by her devoted husband, Rev. Dr. James Erickson, and their three children: Jon (Deborah) Erickson, Ingrid (Greg) Friedlund, and Sonja (Paul) Bruchman. She leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Sarah (Andrew) Wargo, Nathan Bruchman, Anna Friedlund, Grace Erickson, Matthew Erickson, Lilly Bruchman, Emma Friedlund, Christopher Erickson, Carolynn Bruchman, and Jason Bruchman; and great-grandson Kayson Wargo. She is also survived by her brother, Lowell Nordling. The family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care Shirley received on the CVS Unit at the DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center in her final years. Shirley brought warmth, hospitality, and joy to every room she entered and every life she touched. Her legacy is one of steadfast love, humble service, and deep, abiding faith. To know Shirley was to be welcomed, cared for, and reminded of what deep, quiet, steadfast faith looks like.

Services will be held for Shirley at Geneva Lutheran Church, 301 S. Third St., Geneva, IL 60134 on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Rev. Trudy Stoffel officiating.

Visitation will be from 9:00–11:00am followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00am with a luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family to be established at a later date.

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