​Married for 50 years (as of August 2022) to Randy Erickson (Retired from Snap 0n Tools – Kenosha). We have three grown children: Christopher (Katie) and two grandsons, Cullen and Cameron; a son Neal, and daughter Megan (Matt), and three granddaughters, Layla, Teagan, & Mila.
Pastimes: I enjoy time with my family, camping, fishing, hiking, biking, bird watching, and downhill skiing.
Prior to ministry, I worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the Pediatric Department at St. Lukes Hospital in Racine, and later for two Pediatricians at Racine Medical Clinic. Feeling a call to serve God in Christian community,  I entered ministry as Youth Director at Christ Church (Racine) in 1981 (Course work in Youth Ministry Certification done at Perkins School of Theology – Dallas, TX). Over the course of my 6 yrs. there, I organized youth mission trips each summer through the Appalachian Service Project, started a mid-week Children’s program that included a meal, Christian ed. and music which served 50 children.  Then I accepted the position of Program Director/Pastoral Associate at Salem UMC (Waukesha) for 13 yrs., where I continued to organize a mid-week Christian Ed. program for children, as well as continuing the youth mission trips to Appalachia, which brought youth from 4 area UMC’s, as well as leading the first international youth VIM trip to Bolivia, and guided several adult classes through the Disciple program.
Discerning God’s call upon my life to move further into ministry, I entered Pastoral Ministry in 2001 (through Course of Study at St. Paul School of Theology – Kansas City, MO) and the appointment to the Alma Center – Hixton – Merrillan Charge in 2001.
During my 20 years as pastor of the Merrillan Charge, my initial ministry focus was on senior adults. We started Lent and Advent Bible Studies, which involved adults from all three churches, and at the Merrillan church, I helped start an afterschool tutoring program serving the children from the elementary school next to the church. Over the last three years, I organized a mid-week Children’s program at the Alma Center church, fashioned after the earlier programs I started in Racine and Waukesha.
I served on the Board of Directors for Bolton Refuge House (Serving Jackson and Eau Claire Counties), which provides housing for women and their children when in crisis, and served on the Board of Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers and as President of the Board.
I believe I bring a compassionate presence to those in need whether it be due to illness, death, or life transition. I can appreciate the struggles of the small rural churches, and feel I offer supportive presence and encouragement for the process of discerning changing roles and ministry opportunities.
I look forward to our shared ministry and visioning for our future.