Shirlene Adele Erickson

Shirlene Adele (Linderer) Erickson was born April 23, 1936 in Boise to Dorothy Irene Moss and Richard Francis Linderer. She was soon joined by her brother Dick and then sister Judy. Shirlene had two childhood events that deeply shaped her life. The first was when her parents divorced when Shirlene was six, and she became the older sister that looked after her siblings while their mother worked. It was not an easy life, as their house didn’t have indoor plumbing. But there were happy memories of getting ice cream with her father, and led to her lifelong love of having ice cream every night for dessert. She also gained another sister, Janice, when her father remarried.

The second event that deeply affected her life happened when she was about 12 years old. She experienced a significant medical condition that paralyzed her right arm and leg and kept her out of school for a year. She traveled at least twice to San Francisco for tests and treatment. She persevered and learned how to do everything left handed. It was during this time that Shirlene decided to become a nurse to help care for sick children. Shirlene graduated in the first class of nursing students at Boise Junior College and went on to work as a Registered Nurse for 35+ years at St. Luke’s in Boise, having a positive impact on numerous children and families with her kind and gentle care. She was often asked for by name for her skill at starting IVs. She made many lifelong “Peds” friends from her time in St Luke’s Pediatrics.

Shirlene met the love of her life, Homer on a blind date that her best friend Esther set up. She said she was worried about meeting someone named Homer, but was smitten when she saw him in his green shirt and green eyes. She told him to call her sometime and he did. From then on, they were inseparable and married in 1958. They raised five children (4 boys and 1 girl) in the “Kerr Street mansion” that Homer kept adding on to as more children came along. They finally moved after 31 years to Southeast Boise where they lived for more than 30 years. In their retirement, Shirlene and Homer traveled to see their children and grandchildren, including trips to Germany, Switzerland and France and an Alaskan cruise to celebrate their 60th anniversary. They enjoyed trips to the coast with Homer’s brother Bud and wife Marlene. At home, they enjoyed going to Starbucks for coffee every morning, either with family or friends. Homer passed away in 2020, which left a huge hole in mom’s heart.

Shirlene had a beautiful voice, singing alto and soprano, able to harmonize on any song. She sang solos, duets, and other special groups at church. She would sing duets with her sister and her best friend Esther. She instinctively sang or hummed while grocery shopping or doing household chores. Shirlene was also an accomplished seamstress and sewed many of her own clothes as well as sewing dresses, orchestra skirts and flag corps uniforms well into the night for her daughter. She also crocheted tea towels and you could count on getting one as a gift. She baked a mean chocolate chip cookie! Shirlene loved wearing hats and had one in almost every color, including her well worn red one.

Shirlene was a loving, kind and gentle soul. She was a faithful follower of Jesus and faithful member of Whitney Friends Church for about 60 years until it closed doors in 2024. She moved into Barber Station assisted living in 2025 and was beloved by residents and staff.

Shirlene was predeceased by her husband Homer, her brother Richard “Dick” Linderer, her sister Janice Linderer Hurley and her best friend Esther Bumgardner. She is survived by her children Steve (Ann), Mark (Sharon), Shelley (Dan) Tompt, Kent (Beth), and Jeff (Tomi); her sister Judy (Ted - deceased) Smith, sisters-in-law Arlene Linderer, Marlene (Bud - deceased) Erickson and brother-in-law Bruce Hurley; eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial will be planned for a future date.