Ericka Stewart

Ericka Stewart moved through the world with kindness and an infectious smile. She was brilliant at math, science, puns, hugs, bench presses, and making people feel special. She loved her family and friends, fishing with her buddy Steven, learning new things, tropical vacations, and cheese. Ericka built community wherever she went, creating welcoming and supportive spaces for those around her, be it workmates, classmates, work out buddies or friends. She genuinely cared for those in her life and offered constant support and encouragement to others.

Ericka had a ten year career as a Clinical Lab Scientist, specializing in pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital, where her infectious smile, deep compassion, and gentle presence eased the fears of children and families. Recently, a parent commented that for the first time of many hospital visits, his child remained calm during a blood draw because Ericka took the time to ease her fears, hear how she wished the process to go, and created an environment where she got to be in control as much as possible. Ericka often said it was an honor to be a witness and aide to the amazing strength of children who faced health crises.

Ericka recently left full time work to begin the journey of becoming a nurse practitioner and enrolled in the University of Minnesota's Master of Nursing program. She had a strong desire to be of even greater service to people facing health challenges and planned to focus on providing loving, unbiased, and informed healthcare within the LGBTQ community. She delighted her classmates with her witty comments, rabbit ears on the projector screen, and knowledge of blood cells, parasites, and infectious diseases. She was known for being positive and giving, especially with encouragement, cashews, chocolate, and dill havarti cheese.

She could not help herself from singing along loudly to any song from the 80s, especially at the grocery store and during long night shifts at the hospital.

Ericka was known as Super Tante to her six nieces and nephews. If you talked to Ericka for more than five minutes, you heard stories of the amazing, brilliant, hilarious, and special Audrey, Annabelle, Otto, Allison, Alaina, and Owen. She adored them and they adored her. She was the leader of their Super Hero team.

Ericka was a loving, devoted, and enthusiastic partner to Amanda Rondeau and she treasured each moment with her. They created a home together in St. Paul, with wildflowers and a bountiful garden, where Ericka excitedly counted each strawberry in the spring. They spent many a summer day floating in the lakes and winter evenings trying out new recipes. They created space for one another in their relationship through their loving acceptance, which allowed them to grow into their whole selves. They were each other's biggest cheerleaders.

Ericka was born July 25, 1980, in Landstuhl, Germany, to Timothy and Susan (Lanza) Stewart. Her military family moved several times, settling in Hinesville, GA, when Ericka was 11, after stints in Colorado and Augsburg, Germany. She was valedictorian at Bradwell Institute and graduated from Wesleyan College in Macon, GA, with a BA in Chemistry in 2002, where she met her kindred spirit Sawyer Bethel and many other cherished friends.

Ericka passed away suddenly on March 27, 2017, of a cerebral aneurysm. She is survived by her partner, Amanda Rondeau; a large chosen family; her parents, Tim and Susan Stewart; brother, Tim Stewart Jr.; sisters, Gretchen (Jon) Jerman, Stephany (Greg) Odden; and six nieces and nephews.

Please join us for a celebration of the life and love of Ericka Stewart. In keeping with Ericka's joy-filled spirit and her favorite things, the event will feature music, laughter, stories, food, and apple juice. There will be games and activities for kids of all ages. We encourage you to wear your most comfortable clothing, and if you can do that and pull-off a bow-tie, all the better.

The gathering will be at the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota on Sunday, April 9th from 1PM to 4PM, with an informal service at 2PM. There is a parking garage attached to the museum. There is additional metered parking on River Road. Guests can take the elevators/stairs in the ramp to the 1st floor entrance into the Riverview Gallery.

Ericka supported many causes. The family would like to direct donations to St. Paul College in order to establish the Ericka Stewart Memorial Scholarship fund. Please enter "Ericka Stewart" in the Tribute field.
https://www.saintpaul.edu/alumni/give