Chris Diane Erickson

Wasilla resident Chris Diane Erickson, 47, died after a lengthy illness at her home Oct. 20, 2011, with her beloved husband and family at her side.

Graveside services in honor of Chris are at 1 p.m., Oct. 24 at Valley Memorial Park Cemetery, Mile 12.8 Old Glenn Highway in the Butte.

Chris was born April 5, 1964, in Vancouver, Wash., the daughter of Richard F. Erickson and Julia M. (Hajduk) Erickson. She moved to Alaska in 1964, and had lived in Kake, Kodiak and Wasilla. Chris obtained a Ph.D. in psychology from Arizona State University, Tempe. She later worked at George Washington, Temple and Fresno State universities. Chris spent a year as a Robert Wood Foundation fellow, working for U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin. She taught counseling at George Washington University and strove to improve public awareness of mental disabilities through research and publications. She retired from the university in June and returned to Alaska.

The family wrote: “Chris loved Alaska; always returning to be with her family. Her nieces and nephews were her children. She was famous for giving them extraordinary birthday parties. She loved camping, gardening, hiking, playing cards and family dinners. Her family and friends will miss her more than words can say.”

Preceding her in death were her Hajduk and Erickson grandparents.

Survivors include her husband, Christopher Hanna of Wasilla; parents, Julia (Hajduk) Erickson and Richard Erickson of Wasilla; brother, Richard Erickson Jr. of Wasilla; sister, Deanna Sandidge of Wasilla; nephews, Will and Nate Sandidge of Wasilla; nieces, Jamie Sandidge, Nikole and Ryan Erickson all of Wasilla and Taylor Erickson of Fairbanks; nephews, Alex Rosenburg of Wasilla, and Earnielee, Allen Michael and Seth Sandidge of Louisiana; aunt, Wilma Whealy of Anchorage; cousins, Jessica and Sarah Whealy of Anchorage; uncles, Ray Hajduk of Oregon and Fred Hadjuk of Los Angeles, Calif.; cousins, Ray Hajduk of California, Brenda Hajduk of Washington, Geri Lee of Washington, Kenna Jutte of Washington and Chuck Hajduk of Oregon.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home.