Shirley Jean Erikson

CHUBBUCK - Shirley Jean Merideth Erikson, 78, passed away at Portneuf Medical Center, with her family by her side, Friday, February 19, 2010.

Shirley was born in Denver, Colorado, a daughter of Glenn L. and Linnea (Anderson) Merideth. She graduated from Pocatello High School in the class of 1949. She then attended her nurses training at St. Mary's in Boise.

Shirley's true love was her husband Jim of 58 years, her family, and her Cocker Spaniel, Lilly Linnea. She enjoyed card & dice games, slot machines, golf, walking, canning, gardening, fishing, cooking for family & friends (she always had her famous Texas sheet cake for any event) & visiting for coffee & breakfasts.

Jim & Shirley loved to travel & were proud to visit all 49 states in their travel trailer. Their winter home was in Arizona after their retirement, they called it “Spud Row“for all the Idaho friends. They fished & cruised in Alaska many times with long-time friends. Jim & Shirley traveled to Sweden & Finland several times-doing genealogy research. Jim reports she was “one tough Swede“.

Shirley worked as the Director of Volunteers, Bannock Memorial Hospital, for 17 years. Jim & Shirley volunteered on mission trips sponsored by the United Methodist Church & went to North Dakota to rebuild for flood victims in 1997.

Due to health problems in her family, she was a proud supporter of Breast Cancer research, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Parkinson's Organization, and the National MS Society.

Shirley is survived and will be dearly missed by her loving husband, Jim Erikson of Chubbuck, ID; her three doting children, Cheri L. (Rick) Jones of Ilwaco, WA; Debi A. (Wally) Barney of Yacolt, WA; Steve M. (Carla) Erikson of Pocatello, ID; two wonderful sisters, Beverly (Peter) Hauck of Fresno, CA; Marjorie Nothdurft of Des Moines, WA; her adoring six grandchildren, Michelle (Sean) Kitchin, Brian (Jenny) Jones, Amanda Erikson, Brad (Sarah) Jones, Breann Erikson, Tammy (Billy) Campbell; her precious great grandchildren, Layton Kitchin, Conner Jones, Emma Jones, Hunter Jones, Tanner Kitchin, Nevaeh Rankin, Lincoln Jones, Bradyn Jones, Ethan Campbell; and a large extended family and life-long friends.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Linnea Merideth, long-time members of the United Methodist Church, and a brother in law, Rev. Donald Nothdurft.

Shirley's family, friends, church and faith were her strength during her final hours and we will all miss her dearly. They also wish to express their personal and sincere gratitude to the following physicians and their respective staff that attended to her care: Dr. Laura Gonzales, Dr. Cary Jackson, Dr. Steve Krawtz, Dr. Kurt Birkenhagen, Dr. David Davidson, Dr. Keith Harmon, Dr. Fahim Rahim, Dr. Naeem Rahim, Dr. Peter Anderson, Dr. Sandra Hoffman, Dr. Tom Davis, Dr. June Hielman, Dr. Clark Allen, Dr. Ryan Hope, and all of the Intensive Care Unit nurses and staff at Portneuf Medical Center.

The Erikson family suggests memorial contributions be made in lieu of flowers to:

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (In honor of her great grandson, Conner Jones)
9320 SW Barbur Boulevard
Suite 210
Portland, OR 97219

American Parkinson Disease Association (In honor of her daughter, Cheri)
10850 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 230
Los Angeles, CA 90024

and United Methodist Church
200 N. 15th Avenue
Pocatello, ID 83201