Ruth S. Erickson, 69, a resident of the Town of East Fishkill for 40 years, died on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at the Wingate at Beacon after a long illness.

Born in Mount Vernon on October 22, 1940, she was the daughter of Herbert and Ruth Stenson Siewertson.  She grew up in Yonkers and received her Bachelors Degree in Education from SUNY Oswego and a Masters Degree from Columbia.  Ruth taught at the Increase Miller Elementary School in the mid-1960s then at Kinry Road Elementary until 1971.  Later, she was employed as an outpatient representative for Vassar Brothers Medical Center until her retirement.  For many years, Ruth was active in the Dutchess County Girl Scouts where she received a Letter of Commendation from President of the United States of America Ronald Reagan for her work.   Ruth was a long-time member of the New Hackensack Reformed Church. She was also an active volunteer for the East Fishkill Community Library for many years and was instrumental in the construction of the current library building.

On July 7, 1969, Ruth married Nils Erickson who survives at home.  She is also survived by her son, Anders Erickson and his wife, Catherine of Farmingville; her daughter, Britt Erickson Kafantaris and her husband, Steve of Wappingers Falls; her sisters, Lynn Rich and Diane D'Entremont; her brother, Bill Siewertson; and five grandchildren.

Callings hours will be held on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction.  The Funeral Service will be held on Monday at 10:00 a.m. at the New Hackensack Reformed Church, 1580 Route 376, Wappingers Falls followed by interment in Fishkill Rural Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the East Fishkill Community Library Founder's Fund, c/o Community Foundation of Dutchess County, 80 Washington Street, Suite 201, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.