Dorene A. Erickson, 95, of Oneida, Illinois passed away on Monday, April 13, 2026, in Galesburg after a series of brief illnesses.
Dorene was born on January 6, 1931, to Albert and Agnes (Issacson) Fredrickson. She married Carl Erickson on February 20, 1954, at Faith Lutheran Church in Wataga and they enjoyed 71 years of marriage. Carl preceded her in death on November 24, 2025.
Dorene is survived by her daughter Diane (Pete) Holmes, her sons David (Nancy) Erickson, Kevin (Michelle) Erickson and Keith (Jean Ann) Erickson, eight grandchildren: Jennifer (Joel) Johnson, Elizabeth (Shane) Tucker, Adam Erickson, Barbara (Ryan) Binkley, Sally (John) Staab, Valerie (fiancé Ross Tobias), Andrew (Jenni) Erickson, Colin (fiancé Olivia Van Den Heuvel); ten great-grandchildren: Jayla and Jake Johnson, Bryce, Blaine and Ali Tucker, Hattie and Vivian Binkley, William and Wesley Staab, Silas and Stella Erickson, her brother-in-law, John (Delores) Erickson, sister-in-law Marge Fredrickson, and many nieces and nephews. Dorene was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Vincent Fredrickson, and sisters-in-law, Martha Erickson and Marilee Fredrickson.
Dorene was a lifelong member of Faith Lutheran Church of Wataga. She graduated from Victoria High School in 1948. Dorene worked at home and on the farm with Carl. She was an integral part of their farming business involved in all aspects of financial and, in her earlier years, physical duties. She cultivated a large, bountiful garden for many years that produced fresh then canned or frozen vegetables year-round for her family. She enjoyed preparing farm meals for her husband, sons and their employees. She was involved at Faith Lutheran Church as a Sunday School teacher, WELCA leader, and helped organize and serve many, many meals for all kinds of church events. She was a Victoria Cloverettes 4-H leader and assisted Carl as a leader with the Victoria Cloverleaf 4-H Club. She received the Knox County 4-H Meritorious Service Award. Dorene was a member of the Walnut Grove Extension unit and also served as President of the Knox County Home Extension. For many years, Dorene enjoyed monthly lunch gatherings with her fellow female classmates. Dorene and Carl enjoyed serving as chaperones on several ROVA High School Band trips making lifelong friends.
Dorene deeply loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them and attending many events involving her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dorene kept her hands busy with crocheting, needle point and knitting gifts for her family and friends. Dorene and Carl enjoyed spending time at their home at Oak Run, taking many fishing trips to Wisconsin with family and friends and many trips to Branson for Christmas shows.
Visitation will be on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 4:00-6:00 pm at the Hinchliff-Pearson West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 10:00 am, at Faith Lutheran Church in Wataga, Illinois with Pastor Peter Beckman officiating. Interment will be in the Wataga Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church, Knox County 4-H Foundation, Knox County Farm Bureau Foundation, or the ROWVA Public Schools Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com
