Thelma J. Porter Erickson Obituary (1936 - 2016)

Thelma J. Porter Erickson, 79, of Nokomis, passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 2:40 a.m. Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2016 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Sutton Funeral Home in Nokomis. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday December 3, 2016 at 11:00 at Sutton Funeral Home in Nokomis. Burial will be held in Nokomis Cemetery in Nokomis. Thelma was born on December 26, 1936 in rural Ramsey. She was the first of 11 children born to George (Nig) and Cecilia Lewiski Porter. She attended rural country schools, lately Tennessee school in Montgomery County. She was employed by the Glove Factory in Pana, IL, Borg Warner in Decatur, IL. and retired from Boeing after working at several of their locations, the last being Everett, Washington after 35 years. She achieved much success with Boeing, receiving many merits and awards from the company. She was most proud of the 14 years of perfect attendance and perfect Employee Evaluations. After living nearly 50 years in Washington, she moved to Nokomis in 2006 where she could be close to her family. She married Thomas Gambrel in 1953 (the boy next door). They moved to Decatur where he worked for Caterpillar and she at Borg Warner. In 1959 they moved to Renton, Washington and both went to work for Boeing. Their marriage ended in divorce. She then married Harold E. Erickson in 1968. Together they owned Emerald Schipperke Kennels. A Member of the Cascade Schipperke Club, they traveled throughout the west coast and Canada for nearly twenty years showing their champion Schipperkes. Her husband Harold passed away in 2003. Thelma is survived by her siblings, Albert (Norma) Porter of Oconee, IL, Irma (Charles) Schuff, Tower Hill, IL, Ann (Bill) Smith, of Ramsey, IL, Richard Porter, of Marion, IL, and Jackson Porter of Herrick, IL, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold E. Erickson, her parents, George & Cecilia Porter; brothers Paul Porter, Gerald Porter, and Murvin Porter; sisters Frances Howse and Rose Brown. A Special thank you to the many employees of Prarie Rose Health Care Center who attended to Thelma’s needs since May, 2015. Your kindness to Thelma will long be remembered. Arrangements by Sutton Funeral Home in Nokomis.