Dorothy Lee Erikson

Celebration of Life services for Dorothy Erikson will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the Cedar Grove Wesleyan Church, with Pastor Nathan Hosier officiating. She was cremated at her request under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home of Alva. Beloved mother, grandmother, cousin, and friend Dorothy Lee (Mosser) Erikson passed away May 14, 2023, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. She was born September 21, 1944, in Alva, Oklahoma, and was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Roberta Mosser. Dorothy spent most of her life on or near her family’s farm northwest of Alva. As a young girl she and Lady, her special horse, along with Mickey, her equally special dog who sometimes hitched a ride upon the horse, would spend long days exploring the countryside and traversing the local river to visit friends on the other side. Dorothy never tired of exploring the river and she took great pride in sharing its beauty and wonders with everyone who visited the farm. Dorothy attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University for two years before transferring to Oklahoma State University, where in 1966 she received a degree in Home Economics. While at OSU she met her future husband, Stanley Lee Erikson. The couple wed on March 19, 1966, and made their home across the river from where she grew up. They shared their enjoyment in raising cattle and farming and their family grew with the arrivals of Travis in 1968, Erick in 1970, and Vickie in 1972. After Stanley’s death in 1980, Dorothy continued to work on the farm but her true calling was to help others as a social worker. She became a dedicated advocate for children while working for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. In the early 1990's she moved to Tulsa and began her work as an adoption specialist for the State of Oklahoma. She found great satisfaction and joy in helping children find new happiness with adoptive parents. After her retirement Dorothy returned to the farm and spent many quality years with her mother, traveling and exploring cemeteries and libraries in their genealogy quest. Dorothy took the cumbersome plunge down the family tree rabbit hole and in doing so left behind invaluable information for her family. She also spent her time going to Sight and Sound Theatres, hosting family reunions, hunting morel mushrooms, participating in genealogy club, reading, going to national parks, watching OSU basketball (especially during the Eddie Sutton days), watching and feeding the hummingbirds, and rock/fossil hunting. Dorothy had a very strong faith in God and frequently said, “Whatever will be, will be. It is in God’s hands.” She was a proud member of the Cedar Grove Wesleyan Church. Dorothy is survived by her son Travis Erikson; son Erick Erikson and Jana, along with their children, Ana Lee and Ethan Edward; daughter Vickie Hedge and husband, John, along with their children, Taylor Lane and Andrew Morgan; grandson Kolby Arnold and wife, Kelli; and granddaughter Ashlei Arnold. Cousins include Danny Mosser and wife, Kathy, and their children, daughter Mary and son John and wife, Emily, and their children, Cormyn, Sydney, and Jolie, Francie Frysinger and husband, John, and their children, Chris, Nikki, and Ryan; Alan McNaughton and wife, Becky, and their children, Emily and Erika; Robin Mayes; Richard Mayes and wife, Sandy, and their children, Justin and Carrie; Jane Bassett and husband, Jeff, and their children, Elizabeth and William; Mark Mayes and his son Zachary; Carolyn Sweet and husband, Randy, and their children, Bryan, Christopher, and David; Robert Mayes and wife, Theresa, and their children, Julie, Amy, and Robby; Steve Mayes and wife, Paula, and their children, Megan and Terry; Shelly Rawlins and husband, Doug, and their children, Annsley, Kennedi, and Andrei; and Kristen Pack and husband, Doug, and their sons, Joshua and Austin; other relatives and friends. Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the Cherokee Strip Museum for maintenance on the old Cedar Grove Church.

Dorothy Lee Erikson

September 21, 1944 - May 14, 2023