Patricia Eriks
Patricia Eriks
Mrs. Patricia J. Eriks, 81, Rochester, was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away at 5:19 a.m., Thursday, January 30, 2020 at her home.
On Sept. 7, 1938, Patricia Janet Wright was born in Hammond. She was the treasured daughter of Jesse and Marie Potter Wright. Growing up as the youngest in a family of the five Wright children, she shared her childhood with Jimmy, Chuck, Ret and Barbara. She graduated from Thornton Fractional Township High School in 1956 in Calumet City, Ill.
At the Lansing Bible Church in Lansing, Ill., Patricia Wright married the love of her life, Mr. Robert Andre Eriks, on Sept. 28, 1957. They shared 45 years of life’s adventures. From their union came seven wonderful children. Her legacy, a beautiful and amazing family tree, continued to grow with the added blessings of three more generations.
The Eriks family moved to Akron in 1976. After raising her family, Pat returned to school at Indiana University at South Bend, achieving her life dream of becoming a registered nurse. She devoted most of her life as a caregiver to her family, patients, as a hospice volunteer and visiting nursing home residents. Prior to this, she was also a devoted farmer’s wife, assisting Bob in all aspects of their family farming operation.
Pat was a member of the Olive Branch Church, Roann. After moving to Richland Township, she began attending The Cross. Pat enjoyed spending time with her family and gardening her flowers and listening to Christian music along with showing everyone the awesomeness of our heavenly Father’s grace in all of our lives.
Left to cherish Pat’s memory are five daughters: Jackie Powlen and husband Jay, Kewanna, Gwen Lee and life friend Gilbert Lee, Rochester, Deborah L. Kuchel and husband Brett, Huntsville, Ala., Teri L. Utter and husband Rick, Rochester, and Jennifer W. Kimble and husband Michael, Burket; two sons: Robert A. Eriks, Larry A. Eriks and wife Kelly all of Rochester; 20 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; five great -great-grandchildren; a sister: Ret Auburn, Florida, and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding Pat in death are her parents Jesse and Marie Wright, beloved husband Bob on Jan. 22, 2003; granddaughter, Gwyn Eriks in 1991; sister, Barbara O’Donnell; and two Wright brothers, Jimmy and Chuck.
A celebration of the life of Mrs. Patricia “Pat” Eriks will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester. Friends may visit with the family from 4-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, 2020, and one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. A Nightingale Memorial Nursing Service will be held at 7:30 p.m., Monday. Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Fulton County Cancer Fund through the Northern Indiana Community Foundation, 227 East 9th St., Rochester, IN 46975. Electronic expressions of sympathy may be made to her family on the funeral home website.
