Tammy St. Pierre age 54 of Edina, formerly of Westbrook, passed away Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 29 at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church. Visitation is 4:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday at the Westbrook Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Interment is in the church cemetery. Online condolences may be sent via www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Tamara Lynn (Erickson) St. Pierre was born July 10, 1960 in Slayton, Minnesota to Jim and LaVonne (Deuth) Erickson. She was baptized and confirmed at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church. Tammy graduated from Westbrook High School in 1978 and attended technical college in Alexandria. She married Lester St. Pierre at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church. Tammy worked as an administrative assistant at Combined Insurance, Northwest Mutual Company, PMI Mortgage Insurance Company, and Plato Learning. Most recently she was employed at GFK Custom Research in the Twin Cities. Tammy enjoyed going to Lake Osakis and the farm. She was very enjoyable to be around. Tammy was compassionate, had a good sense of humor, and will be remembered for her hardy laugh. She belonged to Old Westbrook Lutheran Church. Tammy loved animals especially her dogs, Rusty, Odie, and Bella. She enjoyed fishing and traveling. Family was very important to Tammy and she kept in touch with them and her friends and neighbors. She loved visiting them and calling them daily. Tammy was a good listener and offered her support whenever she could.
Tammy is survived by her father Jim Erickson of rural Westbrook; brother Doug Erickson (Sharon Mathiowetz) of LeSueur; nephew Matthew of LeSueur; and many other friends and relatives. She is preceded in death by her mother LaVonne on December 4, 2004.
My deepest condolences to your family. I met Tammy briefly during one of my visits to the Minneapolis office at GfK, and she made an immediate and lasting impression with me as a warm and caring person. She will be remembered fondly by the many people she touched, even transitorily.
Tammy was the most outgoing, gregarious, upbeat person I can say I have ever known. She was comfortable with comin’ in to your office, sittin’ down, folding her legs up under her and LAUGHING OUT LOUD! There was not much that could hold her down, so it is hard to know she is no longer physically with us. Her spirit is still with us and always will be. I am so glad I had a chance to know her – she is ONE OF A KIND!
To the Erickson family you have my sympathy at this difficult time, Tammy was a great person to be around, because you knew there was going to be laughter and fun. This memory comes from the days of the notorious Dutch Charlie party’s from the 70’s. Some of which should be forgotten, But Tammy will never be forgotten. I’m truly sorry for your loss.
I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know Tammy these past two years. As neighbors in Edina, we became close friends as our dogs romped around in her park-like backyard while we’d sit around and tell stories and laugh. Tammy was such a genuine, kind, and loving person, and just a lot of fun. There was rarely a lull in our conversation with Tammy there to pick up each story and make everyone laugh. She will be sorely missed by all of us, but I have visions of our dear Lord opening His arms wide to embrace her and welcome her into heaven where there is no more pain or sorrow. God bless you Tammy!
Dear Jim, and family…..I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Tammy. Even though I never met her, I am reading the condolences above, and I see that she was a wonderful, kind, caring, fun person. I can’t even imagine how your hearts are aching right now. Having lost Ronnie in January, I do know about the grieving process. It is so hard to remain upbeat and hopeful, but I have learned there are “earth angels” who come to support one in times like this. May you be blessed by others who truly care.
I have just moved to the Des Moines, IA, area, Jim, so I will be unable to attend Tammy’s funeral. Please know, though, that you will all be in my thoughts and prayers. In Christian love, Eunice Christensen
Jim, Doug and family, So sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathies to you at this difficult time. Tom and Clarice Kappes
I had the honor of helping Tammy get to work a few times last winter before I left GfK in January. Tammy was so grateful for the rides that she often insisted on paying me for gas. She would try to tuck money in my car in various places thinking she was outsmarting me… But I would take just it and hide it somewhere in her office. 🙂 I will miss Tammy’s laugh, her stories on the way in to work, and how she used to sit in her car every morning before work and talk to her Dad.
A perfect picture of Tammy showing her huge smile. She is so pretty. She was just a little chatter box especially on the phone. She did her hardy laugh when I told her once that when I pick up the phone to say hello she is usually already in the middle of a sentence.
Everyone gravitated toward her because of her outgoing personality. She was the life of the party and always fun to be around. Tammy loved life and her dogs and I will miss her terribly. The long summer days at Lake Osakis with her and her family will never be forgotten. May God comfort her family in their bereavement.
My condolences to jim n family.i really enjoyed seeing tammy in osakis.she was a great friend n i will miss her with all my heart!!
My deepest sympathy to Tammy’s family during this difficult time. Even though I never met Tammy, we were
both battling cancer and had a lot to share during our discussions on the telephone. She was very outgoing and loved life!
Dear Jim, Doug and family, Tammy loved her family, friends and life! I had the pleasure to meet Tammy when she came to work at PLATO Learning over five years ago. I was so impressed with her smile and her fun loving personality! She was always a pleasure to be around and talk to every day. She kept me going during our tough times with laughter, jokes and listening to music. She was the strongest woman I know! I called her my country strong girl and she proved it to the end of her life. I will never forget her voice and our conversations, but know she is in a better place now with no pain. My condolences to all her family. God bless you Tammy dear.
I met Tammy at an Open House and became not only her Realtor, but we became good friends. We didn’t talk often or see each other very much, but when there was a crisis or just needed a friend, we would talk for hours. I would go to the house in Eden Prairie and sit with her and her dogs and chaos was all around us. She loved those pups to no end. I think she was lonely and life had not been the best to her, and did not turn out as she had imagined. She would talk about the loss of her Mom, she loved her and her Dad so very much, but I’m sure that was no secret. Her laugh was crazy and who could help but laugh with her. She called when she was diagnosed with the cancer, I went to see her in Edina just once, but she really liked that little house and it suited her. She was optimistic that it would get in check, but also knew what the outcome would be if it didn’t work, and so here we are, writing about her. Thank you for letting me know, it means so much that I was on her list to call when this happened. I hugged her tight the last time I saw her, just in case it was the last time, and told her I loved her. She said it too. Friends like her are hard to find, I am so glad we met. Wish I could be there for the service, but I cannot make it. My sympathy to her family and friends. She will be missed. I can see her in heaven with her Mom and all those dogs up on her lap. If not on earth, there is no other place I think she would want to be…will think of you often, and miss you girl!
Dear Erickson Family,
My heartfelt condolences to you. Tammy touched so many lives with her contageous laughter and sharp wit. There was never a dull moment when Tammy was around the office. It is hard to believe that she is no longer with us. I truly hope that you are able to take comfort in one another and know that Tammy is now at peace.
My deepest condolences to Tammy’s family and friends. Tammy was our administrative assistant at PMI Mortgage Insurance for several years. She was an integral part of our sales team and was a big part of our success over the years. If things weren’t going well for one of us, we always knew that a phone call to Tammy would brighten our day. She loved to have a good time and her laugh was infectious! You’ll be missed Tammy!
I met Tammy when we became old roommates in Marshall.
When I talked to Tammy last we reminisced about the good old days and when we were roomies and all the fun we had, we also talked about when we looked forward to her mom coming to visit us.
between the two of them I don’t think they made enough red lipstick! I loved that about them two and there laughter, and I mean A lot of laughter!
I miss them both and Tammy told me: “Hey I’m going to be ok, I get to go to heaven and be with my mom”
Tammy was truly one of a kind and full of laughter.
We are all here on earth for such a short period of time and Tammy would want us to find some laughter in all the memories she has left behind.
See you in Heaven Tammy……………..we will listen for your laughter!
From your old roommate Judy….remember the trailor house!!!
To the Erickson Family,
We will miss Tammy terribly….she was the life and fun at the office, and you could hear her all over! She had a great sense of fun, and a great sense of life; she knew what was important. She came in to work all dressed up every day, everything coordinated, and everything with sparkles and matching jewelry…I always called her “Sparkle”, the name fit.
She was just a wonderful person, and she fought her disease bravely and hard, never a “why me” or down attitude. I know they must already be laughing in Heaven! She was truly an inspiration to all of us, and we’ll miss her.
Dear Erickson Family,
I was Tammy’s neighbor in Eden Prairie for a number of years. Yesterday at Mass, the choir sang the “Servant Song.” I thought of Tammy…of the many times I was fortunate to serve her and how she served me in even grander ways. This are the highlights of what Tammy taught me through her example:
1. Put yourself out there. Tammy so easily struck up conversations and befriended others. She was outgoing, accepting and welcoming to all. She would always tell me she loved me at the end of a conversation.
2. Don’t take crap from anyone. Tammy had this incredible ability to stand her ground and not cower to others.
3. Ask for help when you need it. In today’s society we’re all so hesitant to ask others for help. Tammy asked for help when needed and always showered the giver with appreciation.
4. Be positive. In the most difficult of circumstances, Tammy always maintained her sense of humor and optimism. Cancer didn’t know what it was taking on when it chose her. She was so tough; always a fighter and lived life to the fullest.
I relish the image of Rusty and Odie running to greet Tammy in heaven; their whole bodies wagging. Heaven is an even happier place with Tammy there. I feel blessed to have known Tammy.
With love and sympathy,
Carolyn Beer
So sorry to hear of Tammy’s passing. We will miss her in Osakis that is for sure… God Bless!