Patricia Erickson

Patricia Louise Erickson, 92, passed away on May 14, 2023, at Raybrook Manor in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was born on July 21, 1930 in Bellaire, the daughter of Ethel and Arthur Ward. Pat graduated from Bellaire High School in 1947, Central Michigan College in 1951, and earned a Masters from Michigan State University in 1967. 

A lifelong teacher, she taught in the Mancelona, Whitmore Lake, Escanaba, Cadillac, and Lansing School Districts. After leaving Michigan, she also taught in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Fairfax, Virginia. She retired back to Bellaire in 2000 with her husband Kai.

Pat enjoyed gardening, playing showtunes on the piano, taking boat rides on Lake Intermediate, and golf. Her family declared her cinnamon buns to be the best in the world.

Surviving members of her family are:

A daughter, Marti Chardon of Grand Rapids, and a son, Eric, in New Hampshire; 

Grandchildren, Katherine of Grand Rapids, Claire of Grosse Point, Elizabeth and Dominic of New Hampshire;

Great-grandchildren, Alex,10, Theo, 6, Benny, 3, Gemma, 2, and Quinn, 4 weeks,

And a number of nieces and nephews in the Bellaire area as well as Florida and Minnesota.

Historical records show her family tree goes back at least 125 years in the Bellaire and Central Lake areas. Her mother, Ethel Ward (Derenzy), taught at the one-room schoolhouse out past the airport. Her father, Art, delivered mail for the Bellaire Post Office and hand built the stone house on M 88 after the big turn coming into town.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, August 12, at 1pm at the Bellaire Community United Methodist Church.  

Arrangements are under the care of the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com