Chris Allyn Mitchell (Erickson), 67
Chris Allyn Mitchell (Erickson), 67, peacefully left our earth Jan. 16, 2020. This was after a terrible accident in which she fought a valiant battle to survive.
All who knew her knew that she was indeed a woman that possessed a strong inner strength, buttressed by joy, perseverance and joie de vie. At the time of her death, she was surrounded by family and friends, who gave her the strength during the transition.
Chris was living her best life. She and her husband, Jim, had just completed a wonderful road trip that included time in New York, Pennsylvania and Florida. She was able to visit her grandparents’ gravesites, which meant so much to her. She was helping to build the house of her dreams. Simply put, she was living her best life.
She was born in Dayton, Ohio, to William (Bill) and Josephine Schroder. When she was 5 years old, her father, Bill, passed away. The family then moved to Florida and lived with Grandpa Wilbur and Grandma Mary Schroder. She loved telling stories of feeding bologna to the alligators in the back yard.
The family returned to Prescott, Ariz., where she attended school. Chris graduated from Prescott High School in 1970. She participated in several school groups including the Pep Team. Later, she met her first husband in Phoenix, Ariz. and they moved to Libby. Montana became her forever home — she loved it.
Chris worked hard her whole life from various secretarial positions to corporate office management in southern California. She brought light and happiness to the office at every workplace. She loved helping people. Never once was she unable to provide for her family. While a hard worker, she never made work more important than her family.
She raised two children, Mackenzie and Travis Erickson. She always put her children first and was their biggest cheerleader. She taught them to strive to be the best that they could be. She understood forgiveness and taught her children the beauty of both an apology and an acceptance of one.
She taught them to be independent, to never accept less and refuse to take the easy way. She encouraged them to save money, do the hard things in life, dream big and work hard but love harder. The void that she leaves behind is impossible to fill. It will be the love that she showered upon us that will provide us the strength to carry on.
She’s the first one many of us think of to share a piece of news with and to not be able to make that call and hear her “sunshiney” voice on the other end is challenging. Her mark on the world was permanent.
She was a lover of all things nature. She especially found peace at the Fisher River. She loved to float the river with a “cold one” and her dogs by her side. Being outdoors was where she found inner peace. She would tinker in her barn and talk to her animals for hours. She often said, “I wish there was a perfume made from the smell of my horses.” Every new pet that came home soon would only have eyes for mom. She loved to experience new adventures and wasn’t about to slow down. It is her special whistle that rings in our ears as her spirit passes by. Her optimism and belief in “it will all turn out OK” never faltered under any of the challenge that she faced. The softness of her hands and warmth of her hugs will be forever missed. Our mother made this world a better place.
Chris Allyn Mitchell (Erickson) is survived by her husband, Jim Mitchell; daughter, Mackenzie Erickson (Sean Leslie); son, Travis Erickson; stepdaughter, Jamie Mitchell; sisters, Toni Wilke (Ron) and Sandra Scotton; brother, Robert (Bob) Schroder (Jackie); grandchildren, Blake, Blair, Christian, Brayden, Cruz, Tylen and Weston; along with so many other extended family members and friends.
We will be having a celebration of life June 20, 2020, at the Fred Brown Pavilion in Libby beginning at noon. Please contact Mackenzie Erickson at mackenziejaye@gmail.com if needed. In lieu of flowers, please take a walk in nature with your family and think of her.