Phyllis E. Erickson, 87, passed away on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at the Hospice House in Rapid City.

April 13, 1931, was a glad day for this world, when Phyllis was born to Buford and Ella Schlottman, in Sioux City, Iowa.  Fourteen years later, she moved with her folks and younger brother, George (Bud), to Rapid City, South Dakota.  Following graduation from Rapid City High School in 1949, Phyllis set her sights on Augustana College, where she studied Journalism, held an on-campus job, and served on the Yearbook Committee. The latter commitment led her to arrange for needed artwork from the school's Art Department, where she was introduced to a student named Darrell Erickson.  She was so smitten that when she returned to her dorm, she announced to her roommate, "I'm going to marry that guy."  As good fortune would have it, he was equally taken with her!  They wed on October 13, 1951, making Rapid City their home and raising three daughters and a son.

Just after the birth of her fourth child, Phyllis was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and for the next 56 years, endured the pain and joint-twisting with quiet perseverance, never dwelling on her disease.  When the kids were in their upper grades, Phyllis worked outside the home for several years as a secretary for the Rapid City Parks Department and for 14 years as secretary to the Fire Chief. She kept a beautiful home, cooked decades of delicious homemade meals, hospitably welcomed family and friends, and encouraged her kids in their pursuits in piano, band, ballet, and scouting.  Sundays meant going to church as a family, before gathering around the kitchen table for dinner.  Over the years, before and after retirement, Phyllis and Darrell delighted in traveling on a variety of state-side bus tours and several cruises—to Alaska, the Caribbean, and a highlight for Phyllis, the Panama Canal.

All her life, she held steady to her deep belief in Jesus, taking Him at His word recorded in John 3:16, " For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  She took part in years of study of the Bible both in Lutheran "Circle" groups and at city-wide Bible Study Fellowship.

In recent years, Phyllis was fond of saying, "The smartest thing I ever did was have you four kids."  The response she frequently heard was, "The smartest thing you ever did was marry Dad!"  She and the "love of her life" Darrell were devoted to each other, from start to finish, and were just a month shy of celebrating 67 years of marriage when she passed away on September 12, 2018.  Our family is grateful to the amazing staff at Hospice House, who tenderly cared for us as well as Mom during her final days on earth.

Praise be to God for sharing such an amazing woman with us for 87 years and for welcoming her home to His presence in heaven.  Her faith is now made sight.  We who also believe in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, God's Son, know that our sorrow at "good bye" is temporary and that we will see Phyllis and all other believers again, by and by.  So, on we travel, rejoicing!

Phyllis is survived by her husband, Darrell; daughters Kim (and Thom) Norby of Beulah, WY, Kris (and Les) Nies of Spearfish, SD, and Jill (and Keith) Houdashelt of Rapid City; son Jay (and Ellen) Erickson of Rapid City; grandsons Eric (and Michelle) Nies of Belle Fourche, Jared (and Sarah) Nies of Perham, MN, Jason Nies of Vallejo, CA, Cole Erickson of Rapid City; great grandchildren Elijah Nies, Adelaide Nies, Timothy Nies, Benjamin Nies; brother George (and Shirley) Schlottman of Rapid City, and numerous nieces and nephews.  Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents and infant great granddaughter Evelyn Nies.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, Sept. 29 at South Canyon Lutheran Church, 44th & Brookside in Rapid City.

Memorials in honor of Phyllis Erickson may be made to Hospice of the Hills.