On April 1, 2016, we said good-bye to our wonderful, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Dorothy Peterson (Dot Erickson).
Born May 11, 1932 in the tiny town of Glenrock, Wyo. Dot was the youngest of Lawrence and Dorothy Peterson’s four children. She grew up in Douglas, Wyo., with two loving brothers, Larry and Carl, and her best friend and dear sister, Betty. She attended college at the University of Kansas, where she studied music. Music became a key foundation in her life, and later, a driving force behind her desire to build and nurture her family. She taught piano, played the organ in the church and continued playing beautifully right up until her last day. In so many ways, music became her voice of expression, in making life wonderful for her family and many friends.
In August of 1953, in Douglas, Wyo., Dot married the love of her life, Don Erickson. They moved to Glendive, where they became parents to three sons, Kurt, Kent, Kraig and one daughter, KayDel. From the beginning, her life would be dedicated to raising her family and supporting her husband. As a mother, Dot was a compassionate healer, a nurturer and steady voice of reason. She was firm when she had to be, and soft when she needed to. She was small but strong.
Together Don and Dot built a successful business in Glendive and were perfect partners in every way. After retirement, they worked together to build their dream home in Lakeside, Mont., on beautiful Flathead Lake, where they lived happily for several years before eventually ending up in Billings. Their love was truly special and she is now content to be back in his loving arms.
Dot is preceded in death by her beloved husband; parents; two brothers; and sister.
She is survived by her three sons, Kurt, Kent (Carla) and Kraig (Wendy) and daughter, KayDel (Randy) Shelton. She leaves behind 8 grandchildren, Ashlei (Nate) Olsen, Alexander (Eileen) Erickson, Jillian (Jason) Sparks, Christopher Erickson, Chelsea Erickson, Alli Erickson, Sam Shelton and Tessa Shelton. Dot had 3 great-grandchildren, Ian Erickson, Piper Olsen and Jack Erickson. All of her family and extended family will miss her dearly.
We will be celebrating Dot Erickson’s life with worship and music at Atonement Lutheran Church in Billings on Saturday, May 14 at 11 a.m. Reception to follow at Randy and KayDel’s at 1305 Hawthorne Lane in Billings. All are welcome and memorials can be sent to Atonement Lutheran Church 1290 Sierra Grande Blvd, Billings, MT 59105.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.heightsfamilyfuneralhome.com.