Ila Erickson

With comfort and peace in our hearts, we announce the passing of our dear mother, Ila Erickson on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

Ila was born on June 5, 1936 to Lowell Samuel and Elfonda Hymas Crossley in Smoot, Wyoming. She often spoke fondly of those early childhood days when life didn’t come so easily as did beautiful memories. This is where she learned her life lesson: “Kwitchyerbellyakin”!

Her father eventually moved her family to Smithfield where Ila attended school, graduating from North Cache High School. We don’t know exactly when she met the love of her life, Noble Erickson but it must have been in one of the corn or beet fields on the Erickson farm. She worked as hard as the others, enough to know that sugar beets were not to be in their future for long.

After Noble finished his mission to the New England Mission, they were married on August 8, 1956 in the Logan LDS Temple. Together they began their lifelong journey dedicated to raising a family and serving their community and church. Ila served in many callings, including leadership positions in Sunday School, Primary, and Relief Society. She and Noble served together in the South Carolina Columbia and Tonga Nukúalofa missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Her most sacred calling was being mother to six children. She is survived by Kent (LuAnn) Erickson of Mapleton, Utah; Alan (Denise) Erickson of Washougal, Washington; David (Callie) Erickson of Smithfield, Utah; Julie Erickson Farner (Scott) of Hyde Park, Utah; Kevin Erickson (Jes) of Saratoga Springs, Utah along with 34 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. Ila’s passing was preceded by her husband, Noble in 2019, her daughter Susan (Dave) Hansen in 2011, her parents, Lowell Samuel and Elfonda Hymas Crossley, and her siblings Mary Pearl (Harsha), Lois (Johnson), Lowell, Perry and Veda (Hillyard).

Ila was an excellent cook, artist and doll maker. Besides decorating numerous wedding cakes, her dolls will forever remind us of her love.

Funeral services will be held at the Smithfield North Stake Center which is currently the old 4th Ward building at 179 North, 100 East, Smithfield, Utah at 12:00 pm. A viewing is scheduled for that morning from 10:00 to 11:30 am. Interment will follow at the Smithfield City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making donations to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints General Missionary Fund.