Brett A. Erickson

“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May he lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26.

On December 16th at 11:30 am, the Lord made His face to shine upon Brett Alan Erickson, age 57 of Mokena, IL, and gave him peace. No more suffering. No more pain. Brett was completely healed and released into glorious eternity after losing his earthly life to a sudden and severe pancreatitis attack he fiercely battled for almost two months but eventually succumbed to in Jacksonville, Florida at Mayo Clinic Hospital.
Brett was born in Chicago, IL on January 2, 1965 to Norman and Paulette (Rossi) Erickson. Brett’s parents survive him along with his two siblings, Mike Erickson (sp. Lynn Erickson) of Murfreesboro, TN, and Kim Erickson (sp. Eric Gielow) of Littleton, CO.
Brett is also survived by Teri Erickson, his wife and life partner of 20 years, and their (combined) eight children made up of four sons and four daughters, affectionately called “The Brady Bunch”:
1) Alan Erickson (35) of Lubbock, TX;
2) Antoinette Ashmore (34) and son-in-law, Austin Ashmore of Tampa, FL;
3) Ashley Cosgrove (33) of Denver, CO;
4) Lauren Lambert (29) of Plainfield, IL;
5) Paige Thompson (27) of Savannah, GA;
6) Dakota Erickson (23) of Mokena, IL;
7) Devin Erickson (21) of Mokena, IL; and
8) Logan Erickson (16) of Mokena, IL.
Brett was a very proud and extremely funny grandpa to his grandsons: James (5) and Jude (3) of Tampa, FL. He spent the last five years of his life pretending to walk into walls and banging his head on doors to make his grandsons howl in laughter. Brett was also “dog dad” to his faithful Golden Retriever, Jax, and Yorkshire Terrier, Bear.
Family was important to Brett – he and Teri enjoyed regularly hosting family and friends in their home, especially on holidays and special occasions. Brett called or visited his own parents almost daily and was always ready and willing to help them with anything they needed. He was also close to Teri’s family - he had a sweet relationship with his mother-in-law, Linda Six (who had recently moved in with Brett and Teri) and loved Teri’s sister, Debbie Del Priore and her husband, Ricci Del Priore, and Teri’s brother, Billy Six. Brett was also “Uncle Brett” to Brianna Villafuerte (30), Kevin Erickson (26), and Daisy Del Priore, (10).
Brett graduated from Illinois State University in 1987 with his mechanical engineering degree. In 1992, he started System Technology, Inc. In 1993, Brett’s father, Norman, joined Brett at STI and together they grew the company into the conveyor and equipment manufacturing company it is today, celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2022.
Brett was a very hard worker who never asked anyone to do anything he wasn’t willing to do himself…and there were very few things he didn’t know how to do or wasn’t willing to do himself! He hated paying someone else for repair or installation work he felt he could do better (although it always took him a bit longer to complete it). He was also quick to help others when they needed it - from installing a ceiling fan or hot water heater, repairing appliances, plowing the driveways of everyone he knew during snow storms, building the annual church parade float, or doing hurricane building demolition, Brett always made time to help others. In his free time, he “relaxed” with yard work and landscaping projects which he enjoyed very much. He was seen working on patio projects around his pool more than he was ever actually spotted inside the pool. He loved technology and innovation and was always looking for improved ways of doing things that would increase efficiencies and save money. He took great pride in a job well done - by himself and by others - and was a self-proclaimed perfectionist who liked to “help” others by offering suggestions of better ways of doing things (which wasn’t always received as well as it was intended).
Brett loved Jesus and faithfully attended Grace Fellowship Church in Mokena with his wife and family, where he regularly served in various ministries. He started out bi-weekly company meetings with prayer, regardless of what others thought, and was quick to respond to hardship (his own or others) with prayer and thanksgiving. He knew to go to the Father for guidance and trusted Him completely.
Brett loved spending time with his family, friends, and his work and church friends, and his work family at STI. He embraced a work hard /play hard philosophy and offset his serious work ethic with being a goofball who had a comical sense of humor. He loved playing hilarious pranks, then cracking himself and others up with his loud, infectious laugh. He loved sofa snuggles with his wife, kids, and doggies. He loved traveling and exploring new places, and he absolutely loved to dance at weddings and parties (after some liquid courage, of course).
Brett’s time on earth was cut short and he was taken home to his Father in heaven too soon. His absence will leave a deep hole in the hearts and lives of his family, friends, and everyone who knew Brett well. God is still in control.

A GoFundMe has been started to help Brett’s wife, Teri, with Brett’s mounting medical expenses which she is now responsible for:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/brett-ericksons-miracle-fund?member=23752639&sharetype=teams&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer


Visitation, January 2, 2023, 11:00 AM until time of Celebration of Life at 7:00 PM, held at Parkview Christian Church - New Lenox, IL. 2121 S. Schoolhouse Road, New Lenox, IL. 60451. Interment is private. Arrangements entrusted to Vandenberg Funeral Home - Mokena.