Arlene M. "Sandy" Erickson

Arlene ‘Sandy’ Erickson died on Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Wisconsin Rapids where she lived for most of her life. She was born on May 26th, 1930, to Clemence and Genevieve (Polakoski) Santoski. Sandy attended grade school at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church and graduated from Lincoln High School (class of 1948).
Sandy married James R. Erickson on June 1st, 1952, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He died in 1982.
Her first job was as a soda-jerk for Walter Herschleb at his iconic ice cream shop on Baker Street. She later took stenographer positions in the Engineering Department of Consolidated Papers and Nekoosa Edwards Paper Company. She spent forty-one years employed by First National Bank (now US Bank), where she started working part time in 1954, and went full time 20 years later in 1974. When she retired in 1995, she was an assistant cashier and manager of the Adams County branch of the bank.
At home, Sandy enjoyed playing piano, knitting, sewing, crafts, reading, noodling around online and watching Packer games. Outside the home, she loved attending live theater and concerts, taking cruises and trips to Europe and her bridge clubs.
She was active in the community throughout much of her life. Her volunteering included being a den mother for Boy Scout Troop 172, working at Red Cross blood drives, the Cultural Center, Lowell Senior Center and Aspirus Riverview Hospital. She was also a docent for 23 years at the Alexander House Center for Art & History in Port Edwards.
She was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church PCCW, Catholic Order of Foresters, Catholic Daughters of America, the Riverview Hospital Auxiliary, Sunrise Rotary Club, Wood County Homemakers Extension and Elks Ladies. She also sang with the Community Choir and served on the Building Committee of the Centralia Center as well as two terms on the Board of the Arts Council.
Her family and friends, whom she loved dearly, were of utmost importance to her. She is survived by her daughters Erica Erickson of Colorado Springs, CO and Lisa Erickson (partner Ron Sosnowski) of Neenah, WI; sons Mark Erickson of Houston, MN and Drew Erickson of Winter, WI; grandchildren Erica Erickson and Leah (Joe) Mudler of La Crosse, WI, Heather (Aaron) Brown of Waukee, IA, Trevor Erickson of Waukesha, WI; and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law Gene and Janet Santoski of Wisconsin Rapids, sister-in-law Jeanette Santoski of Port Edwards, brother-in-law Merle Erickson of Wisconsin Rapids, and nine nieces and nephews.
Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Clemence Santoski and Norbert Santoski, brother-in-law Leonard Erickson and sisters-in-law Loralyn ‘Lolly’ Santoski, Patricia Erickson and Shirley Erickson.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 8:30 A.M to 10:30 A.M at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church prior to the Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 10:30 A.M. Memorials may be designated to Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in lieu of flowers.