L. PAULINE ERICKSON

L. Pauline “Polly” Erickson, 88, went home to be with her Lord and Savior peacefully on January 8, 2018.

Polly was born May 21, 1929 in the family home on Main Street in St. Clairsville, Ohio to Dr. J.B. and Lena Liggett Martin. Growing up in Eastern Ohio and attending second grade in New Mexico had a significant influence on her life – God, family, friendships, golf and the mountains. Learning to play golf from her brother, she won the Belmont Hills Club Championship at age 13 and began playing in regional golf invitationals. She attended two years at the University of New Mexico, then graduated from The Ohio State University in 1951 with a degree in physical education. She was a member of the women’s golf team and Pi Beta Phi fraternity.

After graduation, while serving as women’s physical education director at Lake Forest College, she was challenged to a round of golf by the new head basketball coach John Erickson.

On August 31, 1956, Polly and John were married at Thoburn United Methodist Church in St. Clairsville. Polly continued to pursue her passion for golf and physical education after moving to Madison, Wisconsin where she was the city women’s golf champion seven times, served on the Wisconsin Council for Fitness and was later inducted into the Madison Hall of Fame.

While living in Madison, she and John were blessed with three daughters, Lew Ellen, Kelly and Kim. Polly taught all three daughters to play golf, passing on a family tradition to the next generation.

In 1968, the family moved to Milwaukee and Polly’s faith grew while attending a weekly Bible Study in a movie theater led by Jill Briscoe. This prepared her for the next move to Kansas City, where her husband served as the National President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

It was during these 40 years she demonstrated her commitment to Hillcrest Covenant Church, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Ministries of New Life, House of Hope, Just Give Me Jesus and countless others ministries. For years, Friday mornings were spent with the ladies she called her “Friday Friends”. Along with her faith in Jesus and her passion for knowing God through studying the Bible, listening to sermons, and being in church, she will be remembered for her floppy hats and kindness.

In the last 15 years of her life, she found joy with family and friends at their “golf house” on the 18th fairway of Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Since April 2016, Polly and John have resided in Tulsa, Oklahoma where they are members of Redeemer Covenant Church.

Polly was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Lewis Martin; her sister-in-law, Martha Martin; and brother-in-law, John Plummer.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, John Erickson; her three daughters, Lew Ellen Erickson of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kelly Armes and husband, Joe of Dallas, Texas, and Kim Abbott and husband, David of Columbia, South Carolina; grandchildren, Annie and John Armes, Bryan Abbott and wife, Morgan, Mary Ellen Grigsby and husband, Scotty; sister-in-law, Carolyn Plummer of Rockford, Illinois; nieces, Maggie Martin Giesenhagen and husband, Bill of Denver, Colorado, Nancy Drago and husband, Joe of Naperville, Illinois; and nephew, Jeff Plummer of Rockford, Illinois.

A Service of Remembrance and Celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 15 at Hillcrest Covenant Church (8801 Nall Avenue, Prairie Village, Kansas) with lunch following in Fellowship Hall.

Visitation will be on Sunday, January 14 at Porter Funeral Home (8535 Monrovia Road, Lenexa, Kansas) from 3-5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Fellowship of Christian Athletes – Polly Erickson Memorial (8701 Leeds Road KC, MO 64129); or Hillcrest Covenant Church (8801 Nall Avenue Prairie Village, KS 66207). Condolences may be expressed at: www.porterfuneral home.com.

Arrangements with Porter Funeral Homes & Crematory, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS (913- 438-6444).