Courtney Rachelle Erikson

Affectionately known to some of us or all of us as: Courtneybug, Court, CRAE CRAE,  sissy, bug ... all beloved nicknames for you. 

Born in Hood River, OR,  and completed her on earth journey in Wickenburg, AZ. 

You were always stubborn/on your own time... beginning with making your entrance into this world (2 weeks, 6 days after your due date & 2 failed inductions of labor to try to get you here sooner!)

You kept us on our toes from the day we finally got to bring you home.  You were  always a curious kiddo, learning things early in life while going to the Fire Department with dad.  Being half raised in the Parkdale Fire Dept... you learned lots of words and gestures that are usually better left with "the guys".   You had eyes and ears every where, learning fire Dept lingo early on in life. 

You had great grade school years, learning to play softball which became a love for you through high school.  Your first hospitalization happened after your first day at Parkdale Elementary.  You were so excited to go and start school,  then you got to start school a second time at the Hospital. 

Your middle school years became more challenging (as middle school can be), but your was complicated with more hospitalizations.  You were determined to get it done though... you always exhibited positive attitudes and kept a smile on your face.  This period of time was always fun as you experimented with many different hair colors, sometimes following different holidays (like blue n pink for Easter, orange for Halloween and the Oregon state beavers).  The only rules were no black, and if you don't like it you have to shave it off and start over... she never had to shave her head...imagine that!  You started your deep love for animals of all types but mostly dogs and cats.

High School brought many challenges, that deserve to be noted.  You missed half the days over the 4 years with being hospitalized every 12 weeks respectively.  You learned to make positive relationships of all the hospital staff, and learned to keep a smile on your face and "believe" it would be ok.  You were nominated for an award through Randall Children's Hospital,  and CCA ( Children's Cancer Association) being 1 or 2 people to ever get 3 nominations for this award.  Perseverance , positive attitude, and inspiring people to look for the good is what you became.   You learned to live this as a life motto.   Together we watched the new Randall Children's Hospital being built, and you came up with a dream.  You decided and we together along with a lot of volunteers made no sew blankets for the opening of the hospital.  One blanket for each bed... you succeeded with the help of many...but ended up donating almost 700 blankets in total.  You received a blanket on your very first hospitalization and wanted to have each child have a Courtney's cozy-eez blanket at the opening day at Randall Children's hospital.   

You loved to garden, and tried relentlessly to pedal our garden products.   You loved to plan the gardens out, but weeding  ..not so much.  You would offer to drive the 4 wheeler and bring  the dump trailer for the weeds the rest of us pulled.  You learned to crochet and always spent any extra dollars you had (and lots from our bank account)  on yarn to make things for yourself and other people.  You liked hunting and fishing but was a fair weather sportswoman usually staying in the car if the weather was bad. 

You developed a deep love of supercross, VW bugs, and animals.  You had a heart of gold.  You inspired more people than any of us realized.  You took most of it and the crappy cards you were dealt with a positive attitude and a smile of your face. 

Although you did get a second chance at life on December 19, 2019 with a double lung transplant.... you lived and fought a hard battle with many complication.  You exhibited strength, bravery and did it all with a smile.   You faced all the ups and downs head held high, eyes open, and a smile all while doing the best you could. 

Even though you left us all way too early in life, you can now breathe easy, not have to worry about meds, tests, doctors appt and can run with ease in heaven with all the dogs and possible a goat or two.   You had a long line of special people waiting for you helping you across the rainbow.  Our hearts will endlessly ache for you until we see you again. 


Your dad, myself and your sister are so very proud to be your family.  You will forever be in our hearts. 

In your loving memory we will always strive to make "today is a good day" just like you did. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Courtney Rachelle Erikson, please visit our floral store.