Kathleen "Katie" Erickson

Kathleen “Katie” Erickson passed away on August 6, 2026, at the age of 96. A longtime resident of Elgin, Illinois, she was a woman of deep faith, steady kindness, and a smile that never seemed to run out.

Born in Austin, Minnesota, alongside her twin brother, Kenny, on December 10, 1929, Kathleen was one of nine children of Martin and Loretta Crowe. She married the love of her life, John Erickson, and together they built a family and a life that took them from Minnesota to Boston to Minnesota to Elgin and then back to Minnesota to spend their retirement years with their Austin friends and family. Kathleen worked for 40+ years as a Registered Nurse, 26 of those years at St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin, caring for countless mothers and babies with compassion and skill.

Kathleen is survived by her five children, Loretta, John Jay, Jane (Ralph) Busalacchi, Gerard (Michelle), and Gene (Claudia); grandchildren, Jeremy (Erin) Haefling, Amy (Dave) Eshoo, Jillian (Brett) Akers, Marlena (Matthew) Miltonberger, Dr. Grant Erickson, Theresa (Andy) Bartley, Chris (Liana Dronso), and Dominic (Amanda) Busalacchi; and many great‑grandchildren who brought her endless joy.

She loved traveling, especially with John, and she loved her faith, her family, her card games, and her advocacy for the not‑yet‑born.

Her smile was one of her greatest gifts. Please share one today in her honor.

In lieu of flowers, Kathleen requested donations be made to St. Catherine of Siena Parish (https://stcatherinechurch.com) or Illinois Right to Life (https://illinoisrighttolife.org).

A Mass of Christian Burial for Kathleen will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin, Minnesota. The visitation will take place one hour prior to Mass. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Austin. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.