Alma "LadyBug" (Masaitis) Ericson

Alma "LadyBug" Kristina Ericson (Masaitis) was 70 years old when she passed away on September 15, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.  She was born on August 24, 1955, in Toronto, Canada, to Antanas and Zibute Masaitis (Sadauskas).  She graduated from Holy Cross High School (Delran, New Jersey) in 1973 and attended The Katherine Gibbs School in New Jersey. Alma married Daniel “Dan” Karl Ericson on May 26, 1984, and they enjoyed 41 wonderful years together, first in Rockford, Illinois, then in Belvidere, Illinois.

Alma embraced her Lithuanian heritage, supporting the local Lithuanian Club in Rockford, participating in traditional dance celebrations as well as speaking in Washington, DC, supporting Lithuania’s independence from Russia (March 1990).  She fostered and supported several children in Lithuania.

Alma spent the early years of her career working as a legal secretary for a real estate law firm in Chicago, Illinois.  She then lived in Chicago and continued on the administrative and legal side of the real estate business.  Alma was an accomplished pianist and composer, loved music, and worked many years at Randee’s Music in Rockford.  She enjoyed many travel adventures with Dan, both in the US and around the world, including several cruises.  Las Vegas became a loved destination with family and friends.

Alma and Dan bought a second home, Stay Another Day, in 1999 in Minocqua, Wisconsin (the Northwoods) on Lucy Lake, where she enjoyed fishing, boating, and snowmobiling.  Her love of sports included the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Rockford Ice Hogs.  Alma loved horses, and in 2000, she realized her dream of riding dressage at Marquis Dressage in Belvidere, and ultimately owned several horses.  Her dream was further realized when Marquis Dressage, owned by Amy Walker-Basak, moved to Wellington, Florida.  She enjoyed visiting frequently, feeding all of her “babies” treats, and smothering them with love.

Alma was an amazing woman who left an impact on everyone she met. 

She is survived by her loving husband Dan; aunt, Regina Padleckas; cousins, Sylvia Thompson (Zemaitis), Nijole Barsky (Zemaitis), Andrew Padleckas, Asta Narbutiene and their many children and grandchildren; cousins, Julia and Casey Wold, Bruce Ericson; sister-in-law, Sandra Tackes (Ericson); and brother-in law, David Tackes; nephews, Carl Tackes (wife Courtney and daughter Nora) and Ross Tackes; best friend, Nancy O’Leary; dear friends, Karen and Bart Anderson, Gary and Maria Caruana, Bev Robinson, Todd and Lori Robinson, Carrie and Jim Hall, Amy Walker-Basak and Mike Basak; her Northwoods family, Pam Kelk, Therese and Kurt Nelson, Patty Richardson, Karen Karow, Annette Ferek, Richard and Bliss Pleet, Carol Lee and many more.  Alma was preceded in death by her parents, Antanas and Zibute Masaitis and Stase Zemaitis.

Visitation will be from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm with the Memorial Service at 4:00 pm on Saturday, September 20, 2025, in Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory-Mulford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Road, Loves Park, IL 61111.

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