Shirley M. Eriksen

Shirley M. Eriksen, age 82, beloved daughter of the late Jenny and Erik Eriksen. Loving sister of Jean (Anthony) Nowicki, and the late LaVerne (August) Fiore and Irma Eriksen. Dear aunt and great aunt of many. Former Secretary at Christian Hills Church. Visitation Sunday, May 29, 2011 from 12:00 Noon until time of Funeral Service 3:00 p.m. at Colonial Chapel 15525 S. 73rd Ave. (155th/Wheeler Dr. & Harlem) Orland Park, IL. Interment private at Mt. Vernon Memorial Estates, Lemont, IL. Express your thoughts and condolences at www.colonialchapel.com 708-532-5400

** Tribute to Shirley M. Eriksen **
by Len Nowicki , nephew (mother Jean Nowicki, one remaining of 3 sisters to Shirley – Anthony & Jean and Len & Betsy are still on membership at Christian Hills Church, my sister Sharon Willis may still have membership also - all called to other locations: IN MI OK - Len & Betsy were licensed and sent out as missionaries to Eastern Europe under Pastor Arnes at Christian Hills and are now part of a new FCA congregation in Rockfor MI next to Grand Rapids)

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Aunt Shirley May Eriksen was born in Chicago IL on April 28, 1929 and started attending Christian Hills Church about a year later until she became a shut-in in 2008 due to multiple disabling strokes, a “member” for 81 years. She was the third child born of immigrant Norwegian parents who were involved in the early Pentecostal Revival in Oslo Norway before they came to the USA. The four sisters learned to love the Lord through the witness and upbringing of their parents who took them to Christ Church (early Christian Hills) in the midst of revival - maybe more often than they may have liked – and by street car to boot!! But God used that in their lives, and all remained close to the Lord Jesus and raised their families in the fear and admiration of the Lord. My mother Jean tells of wonderful vacation times together as a family – but they have lived through the 1930’s depression as well – trusting their God for wisdom and financial miracles to bring them through!!
Aunt Shirley never married although she had dated earlier. She and her sister Irma are graduates/alumni of the Assembly of God Bible School in Zion IL now merged into Central Bible College and now ultimately merged into Evangel College Springfield MO this year 2011. Both Shirley and Irma were Sunday School teachers at Christian Hills for over a decade is my understanding, and have mentored many a member of Christion Hills Church in those formidable years. God has blessed Aunt Shirley, and us all, through her beautiful witness and love for the the Lord. She led the singing for the Sunday school worship time accompanied by Aunt Irma on the piano. I remember learning and singing the multitude of Sunday school worship songs with marching and shouting “I’m in the Lord’s Army” and “One Door and Only One” and “yet it’s sides are two – I’m on the inside but which side are you?“ These were praying women of God who helped form young lives through the love and power of their Savior!!
Aunt Shirley and Aunt Irma were an integral part of the PYPF – Pentecostal Young People’s Fellowship of Chicagoland, and helped many, including myself, have a deeper relationship with God through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit – it had a life-changing effect on me and helped bring a release into overseas missionary work and dedication to our Lord God!!
Aunt Shirley was a banker – ultimately a Trustee at Harris Bank Chicago before retirement. She also worked part-time as a para-legal secretary and at an insurance company as part-time staff after her retirement. She ultimately devoted her full time to Grandma Jenny then in her 80’s who was bed confined and primarily a shut-in until she passed away in the early 1990’s. Aunt Shirley was committed to her loved ones too!!
Aunt Shirley was the corporate secretary of Christian Hills Church for nearly 30 years, controlling the reading and taking of minutes for the yearly congregational meetings.
Aunt Shirley was on the Alumni Scholarship Board of Central Bible College for many years, and helped provide a financial way for CBC prospective and continuing Bible school students. She and Aunt Irma participated in the local alumni events even later on in years.
We thank the various Christian Hills friends who have visited her as a shut-in, especially Teresa, Elizabeth, Olga and of course Chris Ortiz who helped us establish a deeper relationship with Aunt Shirley’s caregiver Lucy who remained with her 24/7 for almost 3 years, taking care of all the household needs.
Most of all, Aunt Shirley loved the Lord Jesus with all of her heart and strived to live as a daily witness for Him, walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. We want to celebrate together today as friends and family, as believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus: our Blessed Hope, our Way to our Father in Heaven, in close fellowship with our Comforter the precious Holy Spirit – to celebrate Aunt Shirley’s promotion to Eternal Life and homegoing to Heaven. On May 17th at 2:08 am Aunt Shirley made that transition. She is now free from pain and rejoicing with those who have gone on before us!!