Shirley Ann Erickson

Funeral services will be Monday, August 21, 2023, at 2 p.m. at the Lake Gospel Church in Willow Lake with Pastors Steven Johnson and Dick Poppen officiating. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. and burial will be held at Collins Cemetery following the services. Refreshments will follow burial at the church. Shirley's funeral service may be viewed in below.

Shirley Ann Erickson, 87, of Watertown, SD, passed away peacefully on the evening of August 16, 2023, at Prairie Lakes Hospital due to complications of pneumonia. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Shirley Kannegieter was born on the family farm near Willow Lake, SD, on April 9, 1936. She was the second child of Fred and Ann (Nogelmeier) Kannegieter.

As a seventh grader, she met the new boy in class, Kenneth (Ken) Erickson. He sat behind her and evidently made quite an impression. Shirley graduated from Willow Lake High School in May 1954, then wedded Ken at the Willow Lake Presbyterian Parsonage on October 24 of the same year. They were married for over 68 years.

The couple lived in Willow Lake for a short time then moved around as Ken worked for the railroad. They owned and operated a grocery store in Egan, SD, for a couple of years, and then Shirley served as an administrative school secretary in various towns for several years. While living in Minnesota, she spent 10 years in the accounting department for Northwest Airlines. That job had some nice perks which allowed the couple to enjoyably travel around the world. They visited England, Scotland, Wales, Cancun, and the Cayman Islands. Shirley shared a fond memory of her and two girlfriends taking a one-day trip to New York City to have lunch, just because they could.

Shirley and Ken enjoyed retirement to the fullest traveling for 24 years as snowbirds to their winter home in Mission, TX. At 60 years old, she took a basic class in learning to paint. Shirley had a special talent and won several awards at the SDHCA Dakota MasterWorks Art Shows. She also loved "garage sailing" and sometimes flipped her finds for profit. She was a member of the Watertown Doll Club and collected several types of dolls, in addition to depression dishes, globes, and several antiques.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; infant son Dale Robert Erickson; in-laws Alden and Margaret Erickson; infant granddaughter Laura Ann Ness; and brother and sister-in-law, Lloyd and Leona Kannegieter.

Grateful for having shared in Shirley's life include her husband Ken of Watertown, SD. Her children Deb Ness of Pierre, SD; David (Mary Pat) Erickson of Sioux Falls, SD; and Brian (Cinde) Erickson of Castle Rock, CO. Grandchildren Dawn (Travis) Dovre of Pierre, SD; Julie Ness of Volga, SD; Morgan (Justin Chappa) Ness of Pierre, SD; Matt (Emma) Erickson of Apple Valley, MN; Joe (Sara) Erickson of Watertown, SD; Alexandria (Gunnar) Niemeyer of Maple Grove, MN; Wyll Erickson of Brainerd, MN; and Sydney Erickson of Brainerd, MN. Great-grandchildren Boston Bayles of Pierre, SD; Ella and Astri Erickson of Apple Valley, MN; and Harvey and Hazel Erickson of Watertown, SD. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Furness Funeral Home of Clark is handling the arrangements for the family where there is an online registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com.