Erika Gertrud (Krause) Swenson

Erika Gertrud Swenson, 90, of Berlin, widow of Sidney Swenson, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025.

Born in Berlin, Germany, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Johanna (Kohler) Krause.  Erika was a longtime resident of Harwinton before moving to Berlin and was formerly employed at Harwinton Public Schools.  She was a member of the Harwinton Congregational Church.  Erika had many interests in life.  She enjoyed gardening and loved animals and birds, especially hummingbirds. Erika enjoyed children and older people. She will be remembered for her poppy seed and almond coffee cakes, as well as her gift for crafting and sewing handmade dolls.

Surviving are three daughters, Donna (Joseph) Dornfried, Brenda Jansen, and Marion (Michael) Stressow; a brother, Heinz (Ursela) Krause; a sister, Waltraud (Norbert) Woytnik; and her granddaughter, Laura (Leonard) Proll and their children, Jakob and Lukas.

The family would like to thank her neighbors, nurses and staff at Apple Rehab Cromwell and the Hartford Healthcare Hospice team.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 11:30 AM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home of Berlin, 111 Chamberlain Hwy., Berlin.  Burial will be private in East Cemetery, Harwinton.  Calling hours are Saturday from 10 AM to 11:30 AM at the funeral home.  Memorial donations may be made to ASPCA, a national leader in animal rescue and protection