Kathleen Marie Ericksen

Kathy M. (Gilbert) Ericksen, age 67, of Otsego passed away peacefully among family on January 10th, 2018. Memorial service will be at Milaca United Methodist Church Saturday January 20th at 11 AM. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Last Hope Animal Rescue www.last-hope.org.

Kathy was born in Minneapolis, the first child to Frank and Grace Gilbert, and soon moved to Milaca, MN. She grew up on a farm, where she worked hard helping out the family and had a fond love for animals. She was active in 4H and in choir, and graduated from Milaca High School in 1968. She went on to Saint Cloud State University, where she met her husband, Dana. After marriage, the two settled in Rosemount, MN, where they raised their own family. Kathy started work at the National Weather Service as a stenographer in the early 1970's, and later became a Hydro-Meteorological Technician, and became "the voice" of weather radio throughout the 80's. It was in this position she stayed for 35 years, until her retirement in 2010. After her husband's death, she moved to Otsego, MN, where she enjoyed watching the golfers, reading the paper and snuggling her cats. She loved knowing the latest news, whether it was how many deer visited her brother's feeder, or what someone was having for dinner that night. Kathy's love for her family was immense, and she touched the lives of everyone that met her.

Kathy is preceded in death by husband Dana and father Frank. She is survived by daughters Gretchen (Jeremy) Dedrick and Rachel (Jason) Halek, grandchildren Taylor, Lauren, Samantha and Luke, mother Grace Gilbert, sister Cindy (Dick) Johnson, brothers Dale (Sharon) Gilbert and Chris (Jerri) Gilbert, and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.