Terri Jo Erickson

Terri Jo Erickson

Cedar Rapids

Terri Jo Erickson, 69, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away Monday, August 5, 2024, at her home. A visitation will be held from 5 – 8 p.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024, at The Legacy Center at Murdoch-Linwood, 520 Wilson Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids. Beer, wine, seltzers, and hors d’oeuvres will be hosted. A private family burial will take place at Buffalo Cemetery in Hiawatha, Iowa.

Terri Jo was born June 12, 1955, in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Gerald and JoDee (King) Ekstrom. She graduated from Anamosa High School. Terri Jo started working at Collins Aerospace (formerly Rockwell Collins) in 1973 on the factory floor. She continued to climb the corporate ladder and would eventually become the Director of Human Resources. During this time she also obtained her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Iowa in 1996. She resigned from the company in 1998. On June 12, 1999, Terri Jo married the love of her life, Lawrence “Larry” Erickson.

Terri Jo treasured mother-daughter trips with her daughters, Angie and Kristie, as well as fishing trips with her husband, stepsons Chad and Thad, and their families. She was an avid morel mushroom hunter, boasting a mutually beloved pastime with her three brothers Mark, Doug, and Craig. She and husband Larry also delighted in various travel experiences, including cruises, boating, spending time at Lake Delhi, wintering in Arizona, and camping in their RV at Coralville Lake.

Terri Jo found joy in spending time with her girlfriends, Christmas shopping, and taking trips to the casino. A devoted Iowa Hawkeyes fan, she eagerly cheered on her team every game day. Lastly, Terri Jo treasured her canine companions Lily and Finley, and moments with her family, especially her beloved grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughters, Angie Ottoson of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Kristie (Nick) Hawkins of Omaha, Nebraska; stepsons, Chad (Alisha) Erickson of Cedar Rapids, and Thad (Cassie) Erickson of Norwalk, Iowa; grandchildren, Carter and Brady Shinn, Haylie Jo, Hudson, and Harvey Hawkins, Mallory, Gabby, Willa, Hayden, Jaxson, and Rylan Erickson; and brothers, Mark (Paula) Ekstrom of Cedar Rapids, and Doug (Kathy) Ekstrom of Pennsylvania. And her beloved canine companions, Lily and Finley.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 23 years, Larry Erickson; father, Gerald Ekstrom; mother and stepfather, JoDee and Ralph Roe; and brother, Craig Ekstrom.

Please share a memory of Terri Jo at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.