Linda L. Erickson (nee Hagan), age 66, passed away peacefully with family at her side on July 12, 2016 at her home in Elwood. Linda was born in Joliet, IL on January 13, 1950. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago with B.S. in Nursing, received her Masters of Science from Northern Illinois University, and completed coursework and exams for her PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Loyola University Chicago. Linda worked for more than three decades at which time she held the following positions: A staff nurse at Silver Cross Hospital, an in-service educator at St. Joseph Medical Center, a faculty member at Leach College of Nursing. During this time of employment she was credentialed as a Certified Nurse Educator (C.N.E.) by the National League for Nursing as well as being a coordinator of the Allied Health Program at the University of St. Francis, Joliet. Linda loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, reading books and bird watching. Linda was married to the love of her life, Ronald O. Erickson on March 24, 1973 to whom she was a devoted wife for 43 years. She was the beloved mother to Melissa (Matt) Swick, Daniel (Jennifer) Erickson, Steven (Nichole) Erickson, Cherished grandmother "JaJa" of Caleb, Ella, Lexy (Chance), Gabrielle, Maya, Gwenivere, Grace, Mason Proud great grandmother to Weston Bentley, loving sister to Louise (Joseph-deceased) Gersich, sister-in-law and treasured friend to Patty (Gerald-deceased) Barnes, Betty (William-deceased) Salefski, Joan (Henry) Colbert, aunt to numerous nieces and nephews, niece to Doris (Danny-deceased) Kramerich, and cherished sisterly friend to Connie Litwiller. Linda is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Leona Hagan, her siblings, Jay and Joyce, her sister-in-law, Bonnie, and two brothers-in-law, John Rambo and Robert Wichert. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:00 P.M. noon on Monday, July 18, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 235 West North St. Manhattan, IL 60442. Family will receive friends from 9:00 A.M. until the time of Mass also at the church. Inurnment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Linda's name to St. Joseph Church, or to Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431. Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, www.forsythegouldfh.com, 815-478-3321