Pauline Wiese Ericson

Pauline Wiese Ericson was born in Junction, Texas, to Marx and Mae Wiese. Pauline had two older sisters, Dorothy W. Peterson, and Faye W. Swindell. When Pauline was ten, at the urging of friends, the family moved to Austin, Texas for better jobs and school opportunities. There she met Donald Ericson at the University of Texas and they married in 1949. Pauline and Don were married for 70 years. They had two daughters, Paula and Ann, and spent many years in Wheaton, Illinois. Pauline was ahead of her time, and in her thirties returned to college to finish her degree, later earning her master’s degree. For many years she was a beloved kindergarten teacher at Longfellow Elementary School. Pauline was a go-getter, a firm believer in early childhood education, equal rights for all, and ensuring that women were well-educated. Over the years, the family took many trips to Texas to visit relatives; these trips are some of the family’s fondest memories together. In retirement, Pauline and Don took international trips and loved every minute of their travels. In addition to her two daughters, Pauline leaves behind two grandsons, Daniel and Benjamin, and host of nieces and nephews: Brian, Donnie, Karen, Marlene, Melinda, Will, Steve, and Susan. She was pre-deceased by her husband; son-in-law Michael Nolan; and nephews John Kennedy, Nathan Peterson, Shane Swindell, and Will Swindell. Donations may be made to the Pauline and Donald Ericson Education Scholarship Fund, Western Carolina University, Office of Development, 1 University Drive, Cullowhee, NC 28723, or St. Jude’s Hospital. A memorial service will take place later this summer.