Anna Belle Erickson

 Celebration of life well lived for Ann Erickson a 50-year resident of Cortez and a native Coloradoan will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 21, at Ertel Funeral Home. 

Ann was born August 21, 1925, in Ridgway, CO. She was the 4th daughter to Juttie and Daisey (Beach) Price.

She passed away Peacefully Thursday, February 13, 2025, at her daughter’s home. Ann was proud of her 99 years and was looking forward to celebrating her 100th in August. 

Ann was raised on the Dallas Divide in a small log cabin. She was one of six children and attended a one room school until her 9th grade year when the family moved Naturita so she could continue her education at Nucla High School. 

It was in Naturita where she first saw the dashing, Ken Erickson. He was the man of her dreams for an amazing 70 years. They were married April 19, 1944, in Delta, CO. They had three children, Gary Warren, Kenneth Randal (Randy), and Linda Diane. 

Ann did many amazing things in her 99 years. She was a riveter on airplanes in Ogden, UT, during World War II, she was a cook for a logging crew on Pine Mountain in Uravan Canyon, she owned and operated a women’s clothing store in Montrose, CO. and she was a partner in the Best Western Inn and Suites and the Pony Express Restaurant.

She had a passion for growing flowers and took great pride in her rose garden. She loved to read, hike in the desert and take trips to Laughlin, NV. When she was no longer able to read or hike, she enjoyed watching the birds and sitting on her front porch and visiting with her neighbors.

Ann was preceded in death by her loving husband Bud of seventy year, her two sons Gary and Ken (Randy), her Daughter-in-law Gertrude (Trudy) and her granddaughter Leshon. Surviving her and her daughter linda (P.G.) West, her daughter-in-law Linda Erickson, her five grandchildren Jon Erickson, Devan Erickson (Dalena), Kayla Reader, Gina West, Jason Erickson (Savanna) four great grandchildren; Abbigale West-Fuchs, Dylan Erickson, Corey Reader, and Jase Erickson