Janet Louise Erickson, August 5, 1926 - May 19, 2023.

Jan was a force of nature…vibrant and vivacious. She knew no strangers: it didn’t matter if you met her at church or in a grocery store - she would have found something to chat about. Of her nearly 10 decades on earth, her stories often included her father’s work at the Paramount Recording company (“I sat on Ma Rainey’s lap!”), her own work in a rivet factory during World War II (“I tripled production!”), or her stint modeling for retail clothing companies. It’s no wonder Richard Erickson, the love of her life, upon first meeting her exclaimed “I’m going to marry you!” She apparently told him “You’re crazy!” before falling for him, getting married, and having two children together: Gary and Vicki.

She thrived as a homemaker, artist, and community builder, leading 4-H groups, producing a number of plays in her hometown of Grafton, Wisconsin, and developing a passion for (what became award-winning) ceramics. In 1969, her beloved son was killed in a car accident, and she bore the pain of that loss for the rest of her life. Eventually, she and Richard moved to Reno in 1992 to be closer to her daughter and young granddaughter, Ally. To Jan, family was everything. Her love for animals also found a home in the rugged beauty of Nevada - she would often sit on her back porch, giving seeds and nuts to wild birds, squirrels, deer, and quail, including her favorite blue jay she called “Good Boy.” Finally, Janet embodied faith and love throughout her life - she was a devout Christian who read the Bible and prayed every day. And if you ever crossed her path, you likely ended up in her prayers, too.

Janet Louise Erickson, 96, of Reno, NV sadly left us on May 19th, 2023, of complications from pneumonia. She is greatly missed by everyone who knew her and those closest to her: her daughter Vicki Erickson, granddaughter Allyson Stronach, brother Curtis Schultz, sister-in-law Joan Schultz, niece Shelley Schultz Thurman, and best friend Gail Noel. A celebration of life will be held in her honor at 1p on June 3, 2023, at 14160 Saddlebow Dr. Reno, NV 89511.