Rae Ann Erickson, 82, of Philipsburg died Monday, July 3, 2017 at her residence.
Born Jan. 6, 1935 in Rochester, NY, she was a daughter of James P. and Arlene (Mattern) Knappenberger, both of whom preceded her in death.
She 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.
She would remain with the hospital in its medical records department until her retirement after 40 years of service.
She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, Philipsburg.
She was a die-hard Penn State fan, and she was a fanatic when it came to other sports, as well. She 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.
She was first married Jan. 9, 1960, in Philipsburg to Alfred George “Ash” McDonald, who preceded her in death Aug. 16, 1977.
She was then married Aug. 13, 1979 in Richmond, Va., to John H. “Jack” Erickson, who preceded her in death April 6, 1988.
She 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.
She 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; and three step-sons, John H. Erickson Jr. and his wife, Margaret of Kingsland, Ga., Joseph A. Erickson Sr. and his wife, Kathy of Charlotte, NC and Jeffrey L. Erickson and his wife, Dana of Simpsonville, SC.
She is survived by five grandchildren, Christopher A. Fox, Landon J. McDonald, Jordan Rae McDonald and Samuel A. McDonald, all of Philipsburg, and Jarred A. Anderson of (South) Philipsburg and a sister, Martha Louise Connor and her husband, Ronald of Lehighton. She is also survived by numerous other extended family members.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Trinity United Methodist Church, Philipsburg, with the Rev. Brenda K. Leigey officiating.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home, 719 E. Spruce St., Philipsburg. A visitation will also be held from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Friday at the church.
Burial will be in Philipsburg Cemetery, Philipsburg.
Memorial contributions may be made 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.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and share memories at www.beezerheathfh.com.
