[br][br]Our beloved father, John Ericksen, died July 23, 2014 from natural causes. He was born July 27, 1928 in Spokane, Washington to Andrew and Joyce Ericksen. He began working odd jobs at age eight for local merchants, and was a meat cutter and warehouse manager for Safeway for 45 years. He met the love of his life, our mother Eileen at a roller skating rink (where he had gone with a friend "to meet girls"!) and their long and happy marriage was a role model to us of love and devotion. He would do anything for his family, and was the quintessential self taught handyman. He was a patient, selfless, untiring and devoted caretaker for years of first his mother, then his sister our Aunt Rowene and finally our beloved mother who all had dementia. He is survived by his five sons Ron (Betty), Rick (Nyla), Ray (Sandee), Chris (Ellen) and John Jr. (Carolyn), his brothers Harold and Ray, sister-in-law Anne, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. At his request, no services will be held, but we look forward to reminiscing with his friends at an open house at our parents' home, now his grandson and great-grandsons' home, later this summer. The family would like to thank everyone at Park Place, in particular the staff of the dining services department, for helping him maintain his independence and high quality of life in his last months, and to Hospice of Spokane for their assistance in his final days.
