Leona Skradski Erickson, age 91, formerly of 1407 North 16th Street; Escanaba, passed away on Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 at the Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba where she was currently residing.
Leona was born August 22nd, 1917 in Escanaba, the daughter of Mirko and Anna (Karbon) Skradski and was a lifelong Escanaba resident. After graduating from the St. Joseph High School in 1935, Leona attended Mount Mary College in Milwaukee where she received her Bachelors Degree in Education. She continued her education during her long teaching career and later earned a Masters Degree in Education and also a Masters Degree in Special Education both at Northern Michigan University in Marquette.
Leona taught in a number of schools including Felch, Kipling, Wells, Bark River, Soo Hill, and at Webster and Lemmer Schools in Escanaba. Before her retirement, Leona was also a teacher consultant for the Escanaba School System.
Leona was a member of the Retired Teachers Association, the Council for Exceptional Children and was a proud award recipient of “The Teacher of the Year of the State of Michigan”. Additionally, she was a member of the Escanaba Business and Professional Women and the Croatian Fraternal Union. Leona was also a long-time and active member of the Democratic Party and was affectionately known as the “Mayor of North-Town”.
Leona’s religious faith was important to her and she was a devoted member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Escanaba. In her leisure, she was an avid reader, walker, and “Scrabble” player. Leona will be sadly missed by her family but her legacy lives on with them and all the students she taught throughout her many years.
Leona Skradski Erickson’s survivors include:
1 Son- Ronald (Pam) Ericksen of Escanaba
3 Daughters- Marvis (David Keller, Sr.) McLeod of Escanaba; Christine (Ted) Derouin of Cornell; Toni (Steve) Buckbee of Escanaba
1 Brother- Emery Skradski of Escanaba
2 Sisters- Donna Blair of Kodiak, Alaska; Joyce (Victor) Wolfe of Bark River
4 Grandchildren- Dr. Spencer (Alicia) Ericksen of New York, New York; Zachary (Becky Tourangeau) Ericksen of Escanaba; Dr. Sarah Derouin of Denver, CO; Emily Derouin of Minneapolis, MN
and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Leona was preceded in death by her husband, Carl “Cully” Erickson on March 5th, 1978. She was also preceded by three brothers; John J. Skradski, Joseph “Bud” Skradski, and Frank Skradski and by two sisters; Ethel Shelton, and Katherine Osier.
The family of Leona Erickson will receive friends on Friday at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Home in Escanaba from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with Parish Prayers being recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Escanaba with Rev. Fr. Rick Courier officiating. Luncheon will follow Mass in the church parish hall. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery; Escanaba.
The family respectfully requests memorials in Leona’s behalf be directed to the Bay de Noc Community College Scholarship Fund. Envelopes will be available at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Homes who are assisting the Erickson family.
