Marlys Joan Ericson

We are honored and blessed to share in the celebration of Marlys Joan Ericson’s life journey. Marlys passed away peacefully on January 22, 2016 at the age of 78. She was born in Northeast Minneapolis on May 28, 1937 to Archie and Gertrude Ericson. Marlys was preceded in death by her parents, brother Donald Ericson, and grandson Chad Allen. She is survived by her three children, Deb Allen (Stephen), Denice Oliver (Scott), Darrin Langanki (Rainy); 5 grandchildren, Linell Baumunk (Jason), Ryan Allen, Brandon Allen (Cassie), Ashley Langanki (Josh Sanders), Nick Oliver; 8 great-grandchildren and numerous special friends. Marlys graduated from Edison High School in 1955 where she was active in athletics and played the French horn in the band. After high school, Marlys studied Physical Education at Gustavus Adolphus & the University of Minnesota. On June 1, 1957, she married Dale Langanki. Marlys had numerous jobs throughout her life but the one she was most proud of was that of caregiver for Home Instead Senior Care in Green Bay, Wisconsin. At age 70, Marlys went back to school for her Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA) certificate and worked with home bound and Alzheimer’s patients. In her life, Marlys truly enjoyed helping others. In 1996, she volunteered at the St. Stephens homeless shelter where she enjoyed “talking to the guys and hearing their life stories”. In that same year, she raised money for AIDS by riding her bike from Minneapolis to Chicago. In the past few years, Marlys started an exercise class at her home in White Bear Lake, Willow Wood, for the residents so they would stay healthy and keep moving. In 2008, Marlys started training for the Senior Olympics in the field events of javelin, discus, and shot put. She competed in the Wisconsin and Minnesota Games and won 5 gold medals and 1 silver medal qualifying her to compete in the National Senior Olympics in San Francisco, California. She placed seventh in the country for the javelin. Marlys will always be remembered for her thrill-seeking adventures. She loved high roller coasters, bungee jumping, white water rafting, skydiving, hot air ballooning, and rides in fighter airplanes. She found her passion for airplanes and flying through her brother, Donald Ericson, who was in the Air Force and a commercial pilot. She attended air shows and rode in airplanes dating back to World War I and II. Throughout her life, Marlys enjoyed a number of hobbies, sports, and activities including kayaking, bowling, playing guitar, woodcarving, waterskiing, cross country skiing, playing softball and volleyball, roller-blading at the Metro-dome with her grandchildren, theater, crossword puzzles, reading, playing Rummikub, and creating pictures with her coloring books. Out of everything that Marlys accomplished in life, her greatest love was the life she shared with her family and friends. Nothing made her happier then spending time together and sharing stories from the past and present. We will all miss those beautiful blue eyes, competitive spirit, and the love she shared. Our family would like to thank the special staff at Health East Hospice at Pillars for the love and care they showed Marlys. Marlys loved her time at Pillars and it was the perfect place for her end of life journey and we are eternally grateful. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Marlys Ericson to The Pillars Hospice Home-Health East, 6025 Upper 35th Street North, Oakdale, MN 55128. A celebration of Marlys’s life will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at Washburn-McReavy Northeast Chapel 2901 Johnson St. NE Minneapolis, MN 55418 (612) 781-6828 from 5:00-8:00 with a memorial service at 7:00. www.Washburn-mcreavy.com. Internment will take place during motorcycle season. Marlys’s wish was to take a motorcycle ride to her final resting place at Epiphany Catholic Cemetery in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.

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Marlys Joan Ericson

January 22, 2016

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