Leatrice Louise Erickson, age 69, of Sweet Home lost her battle with cancer on Tuesday while surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Garrison, North Dakota and raised by Francis and Louise (Ehmann) Swanson.

Leatrice enjoyed ebroidery, working in her flower gardens, and reading. She enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. Leatrice especially loved holidays when her loved ones would gather together to enjoy each other’s’ company. She cherished her dogs Sandy, Sissy, Hannah, and Abby.

Over Leatrice’s lifetime, she spent 24 years employed at Smurfit Newsprint in Sweet Home. After retirement, she spent her time caring for her grandchildren.

Leatrice is and will always be known to her family and friends as a strong, dependable, loving person that gave it her all to the last day. Her body may be gone, but the memories that she left will be cherished forever.

She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Delaine Erickson Sr.; daughters, Lorna Chillas and husband, Jeff, of Redding, CA, Linda Erickson of Redding, CA, Tammy Grizzle and husband, Leon, of Sweet Home, and Julie Philpot and husband, Rick, of Lebanon; son, DeLaine Erickson Jr. and wife, Brandi, of Sweet Home; eight grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; brothers Vernon Gohl and his wife, Carol, of Lake Havasu City, AZ, and Mark Swanson and wife, Lori, of Salt Lake City, UT; step-brothers, Larry Swanson and wife, Ann, of Napa, ID, Bruce Swanson and wife, Susan, of Plains, MT, and Leland Swanson and wife, Norene, of Boulder, MT; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by Francis and Louise Swanson, Fred Gohl, brother, Harold Ehmann, and step brother, Elliott Swanson.

Graveside service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 18th, at Gilliland Cemetery. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.