Mary Kaye Erickson

Mary Kaye Ellen Erickson, 60, of Crookston, MN, passed away unexpectedly Saturday afternoon, August 25, 2018, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND with her loving family at her side.

Mary Kaye was born at Rapid City, SD on June 2, 1958, the daughter of Delbert Davis and Verna Elaine (Brule) Vaudrin. The family moved to rural Crookston when she was a year old, settling in Kertsonville Township. While growing up on the family farm, Mary Kaye was raised in the Catholic faith, attended Crookston schools, and graduated from Central High School in 1976. She married Mark Volker at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gentilly on September 25, 1976. They became the proud parents of Melanie and Myles. During those early years Mary Kaye provided child-care from her home and was later employed at Larson’s Super Valu in Crookston. On July 16, 1988 she was united in marriage to Larry Allen “Red” Erickson during a beautiful wedding ceremony that took place in Crookston’s Wildwood Park. Their marriage was blessed by the birth of son, Ryan. Mary Kaye had been employed at the Polk County Courthouse for the past 24 years, most of which was spent in the Department of Motor Vehicles.

During her younger years Mary Kaye played in the local women’s softball league, forming many lifelong friendships. She was an avid flower and vegetable gardener, and together with Red and her mother, Verna, the three canned countless jars of tomatoes over the years, sharing them with family and friends. Another passion dear to Mary Kaye’s heart was her love of older model cars, including the 2 collector models she owned. Together, she and Red had been members of Crookston’s Classic Cruisers for the past 24 years and Mary Kaye was a recipient of the Club’s prestigious Rick Hansell Award. She loved her family dearly and was very proud of her 3 children and their accomplishments. Her greatest joy in life came later as the family grew to include 5 very precious grandchildren. It became her mission in life to see to it that they were ‘properly spoiled.’ Mary Kaye’s door was always open to friends and they knew they were welcome anytime.

Mary Kaye’s memory will be forever cherished by Red, her beloved husband and best friend of 30 years; 3 children: Melanie (Mike) Pemrick of Plymouth, MN, Myles (Nicole) Volker of Fisher, MN, and Ryan Erickson of Big Sky, MT; 5 grandchildren: Tyler and Zoe Pemrick, and Braxton, Cameron, and Kayelynn Volker; her mother, Verna Vaudrin of Crookston, MN; 4 siblings: Julie Vaudrin of Fridley, MN, Marcel Vaudrin and Todd Vaudrin of Crookston, and Lisa Nelson of Glen Ellyn, IL; 6 nieces and nephews: Travis, Sarah, River, and Chassity Vaudrin, and Leah and Melissa Nelson; together with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by her father, Delbert Vaudrin, and parents-in-law, Peter Erickson and Maureen Pederson.

A Memorial Mass for Mary Kaye Erickson will be celebrated at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gentilly on Saturday, September 1, 2018, at 10:30 am with The Very Rev. Vincent Miller, presiding. Visitation with the family will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Friday from 5-7:00 pm, with a 7:00 pm prayer service led by Deacon Dennis Bivens. Visitation will continue at church for one hour prior to the funeral. Inurnment will take place in the Oakdale Cemetery, Crookston.

www.stenshoelhouske.com

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Mary Kaye Ellen Erickson, please visit our Tree Store.