LaVella M. "Val" Erickson

LaVella (Val) Mae Erickson, 89, of Johnson Lake passed away peacefully at Plum Creek Healthcare Community in Lexington as a close friend sang “Amazing Grace” to her. As per her wishes, there will be no viewing or services. Instead, she requested that there would be a Celebration of Life on her 90th birthday, May 20th at the lake. She was born in Loomis, NE at her family home to James and Elsie Anderson in 1927. She was married to Harold Erickson on October 29, 1952. They created two amazing daughters, Terri (Erickson) Wylie and Tammi (Erickson) Grobner. Val worked as a movie theater usher and was a welding cutter on ships during WWII in Portland, Oregon. She sold umbrellas at Macy’s in New Jersey. She was a clerk at J.C. Penney in Holdrege and was a fun waitress at Idle Wild in Loomis. Val was the third employee hired at Becton Dickinson in Holdrege when they first opened and worked in the factory until her retirement in 1989. She then moved to her lake home at Johnson Lake, where she resided until her death. LaVella enjoyed shopping, dressing up, and going out to clubs to enjoy dancing and socializing. “Kansas City” was her favorite song. Anyone that had the opportunity to spend time with Val enjoyed her company. She lit up a room whenever she entered. Her husband, Harold, preceded Val in death. She is survived by her daughters, Terri and husband Jerry Wylie of Johnson Lake, NE and Tammi and husband Mike Grobner of Centennial, CO; grandchildren, Kristina and Joanna Wylie of Raleigh, NC and Ryan and Tara Grobner of Centennial, CO; special friend, George Ventura of Johnson Lake; and many, many friends and relatives. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to assist the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.