Gretchen Ericson

Gretchen Ericson, 73, of Rockford, beloved wife, sister, mother, and grandmother, died peacefully Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at Swedish American Hospital due to complications from Covid-19 and the gross incompetence of the Trump administration. She was born on May 12, 1947, in Chicago, the daughter of Ray and Eleanore (Riley) Gustafson. She married Eric Ericson on August 22, 1970. She taught Latin at Guilford High School for many years and loved music, reading, her cats, and language. Before she died, she was learning Italian and teaching her grandson Latin. Her son, Eric, was preparing to send her the book “How to Write One Song” by Jeff Tweedy, and he believes that she would have written her song. She was a student of politics, too, and, while dismayed and distraught by the current state of the nation, she was full of hope for 2021 and the changes to come. If Gretchen could speak today, she would implore you to get vaccinated. She would ask you to read Tweedy’s book and write your own song.
Gretchen is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Dr. Eric S. Ericson; her son Dr. Eric J. (Leslie Stephenshaw) Ericson; her daughter, Laura Ragano; her grandchildren, Eric F. Ericson and Johanna Ragano, and her brothers Ray Gustafson and Jon Gustafson.
There will be no services at this time. Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory assisted the family. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.