Mariann L. (Murphy) Erickson, 91 years old, died on July 23, 2026, peacefully in her home and surrounded by her loved ones.

Born January 16, 1935, in Becker, Minnesota to Charles F. and Agnes (Witschen) Murphy, she grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota in the Como Park area. She graduated from St. Agnes High School in 1953 and worked at Gillette Hospital and 3M.

From 1963 to 1967 she worked for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for two years in Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa and two years in Kathmandu, Nepal. While working in Kathmandu, she met Verdell Erickson, a fellow employee who was from LaCrosse, Wisconsin. At the end of her two-year tour in 1967, they were married.

After Verdell finished his tour in 1968, they moved to Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia where Verdell worked for FAO/UN for the next three and a half years before they returned to the US.

Soon after returning, Verdell died of lung cancer in 1972 and Mariann worked for 3M again in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1976, Mariann, along with her 6-year-old daughter, Lan, moved to Webb Lake, Wisconsin. She worked for WITC in Shell Lake, Wisconsin for 15 years, retiring in 1994.

Following her retirement, she was a lover of the outdoors and a devoted member of the Catholic Church. She enjoyed kayaking, biking, reading, and volunteering her time to various institutions such as the church, public library, and Salvation Army.

She is survived by her daughter, Lan Erickson (Derek Avery-Patz), her three granddaughters, Cheyann, Chandra, and Chayla Bearden, her brother, Chuck Murphy, and her sister Roxanne Lenarz. Preceding Mariann in death were her parents, Charles and Agnes Murphy and her husband, Verdell Erickson.

A celebration of life will be held at Sacred Hearts Catholic Church, located at A&H County Roads in Webster, Wisconsin on August 22nd with visitation starting at 11 a.m. and the service at 12 p.m. Following the service, there will be a luncheon at the Church. In lieu of sending flowers, the family would like to ask that you send a donation to any non-profit charity of your choice.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care, professionalism, and support during Mariann's final weeks, and for the kindness and comfort they continued to provide after her passing.

Last Update: Jul 29, 2026 9:33 am CDT