Rae Ann Erickson
Rae Ann Erickson, 82, of Philipsburg, died Monday, July 3, 2017, at her residence.
Born January 6, 1935, in Rochester, New York, she was a daughter of James P. and Arlene (Mattern) Knappenberger, both of whom preceded her in death.
Rae was a graduate of Lehighton Area High School.
She was first employed as an operator with Bell Telephone. After working for Bell Telephone for about seven years, she accepted a position with the former Philipsburg State General Hospital. Rae would remain with the hospital in their medical records department until her retirement after 40 years of service.
Rae was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Philipsburg.
She was a diehard Penn State fan; and she was a fanatic when it came to other sports as well. Rae also enjoyed playing cards with her family and friends. She was a member of a couple of card clubs; including a Monday Night Bridge Club and a Thursday Night Pinochle Club.
Rae was first married on January 9, 1960, in Philipsburg, to Alfred George “Ash” McDonald, whom preceded her in death on August 16, 1977. She was then married on August 13, 1979, in Richmond, Virginia, to John H. “Jack” Erickson, whom preceded her in death on April 6, 1988.
Rae was also preceded in death by a brother, James R. Knappenberger; a half-daughter, Lillian Velma Enck; a half-son, Robert McDonald; and a step-son, Jan Erickson.
Rae is survived by a daughter, Cheryl A. McDonald, of Philipsburg; a son, Jeffrey A. McDonald and his wife, Jennifer, of Philipsburg; a half-daughter, Connie Mae Stephens and her husband, John F., of Philipsburg, a half son, Kenneth McDonald, of California; a step-daughter, Deborah A. Harris and her husband, William, of Osceola Mills; three step-sons: John H. Erickson, Jr. and his wife, Margaret, of Kingsland, Georgia, Joseph A. Erickson, Sr. and his wife, Kathy, of Charlotte, North Carolina and Jeffrey L. Erickson and his wife, Dana, of Simpsonville, South Carolina; five grandchildren, Christopher A. Fox, of Philipsburg, Jarred A. Anderson, of (South) Philipsburg, Landon J. McDonald, Jordan Rae McDonald and Samuel A. McDonald, all of Philipsburg; a sister, Martha Louise Connor and her husband, Ronald, of Lehighton; and she is also survived by numerous other extended family members.
A funeral service will be held Friday, July 7, 2017, at 11:00 am at Trinity United Methodist Church, Philipsburg, with Rev. Brenda K. Leigey, Officiating.
Visitation will be on Thursday, July 6, 2017, from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home, 719 E. Spruce Street, Philipsburg. A visitation at the church will be on Friday, from 10:00 am until the time of the service.
Interment will be in Philipsburg Cemetery, Philipsburg.
Memorial contributions may be made in Rae’s memory to either Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 465, Philipsburg, PA 16866 or to the Moshannon Valley YMCA, P.O. Box 426, Philipsburg, PA 16866.
