Jodie Erikson Obituary

Jodie Erikson was born June 28, 1945, in Biwabik, MN to Lester Erikson and Amelia Fondie Erikson. Her older sister Judy was waiting to meet her. No one had a more idyllic childhood than Jodie, surrounded by both sets of grandparents, many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Following graduation from Aurora - Hoyt Lakes High School, she attended Macalester College, graduating with an English degree.

She began a teaching career in Madison, Wisconsin, moving to the Twin Cities after a few years. She taught there and became principal at a city-wide school for students with behavioral issues. Then it was a switch – she became a stockbroker with what is now Morgan Stanley. As with anything she ever did, Jodie excelled at her career, building relationships with clients and helping them as a Certified Financial Planner. She also met the love of her life at the office – another broker, Sanford (Sandy) McDonald. They were married at her mother's cabin on Birch Lake on a beautiful day surrounded by friends and family.  For the next 40 years they were inseparable.

One of their biggest adventures was buying and operating an A&W in Aurora after they retired from Morgan Stanley. Jodie and Sandy loved selling root beer and creating fun promotions for their patrons. They relished small town life and the joys of community.

They moved to Rosemount following the sale of the A&W and settled into full time retirement. They enjoyed several European trips and spending winters in Las Vegas, attending lecture series, hiking, visiting with friends and family, dining out and avoiding casinos. The McErikson's spent summers at the cabin on Birch Lake with time for fishing and saunas.

As time went by, Sandy became too ill to remain at home in Rosemount. Jodie visited him daily, bringing his favorite home cooked meals and spending most of the day with him. When he passed away three years ago, she grieved his loss each day. Always a family caretaker, Jodie demonstrated her love through her actions.

Jodie died on Sunday, March 29. Her family and friends take comfort that she and Sandy are together again.

Jodie is survived by Sandy's daughter Mary McDonald Kinder and her husband Brian from Forest Lake, their two sons, Brent Kinder and his wife Rachel and their daughter Lillian, and Bryce Kinder all from the Twin Cities; Mark McDonald, Sandy's son from Bloomington; Kathy Rateliff, Jodie's niece from Little Rock, Arkansas; Patrick Rateliff and his wife Keri from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and their three children Gabe and Maddy from Fayetteville, Arkansas and Mitch from Valdosta, Georgia.

Jodie was preceded in death by her parents, and sister Judy Rateliff.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 11:00 AM, located at 14560 Pennock Avenue, Apple Valley, MN, with a Visitation beginning one hour prior to the Service, at 10:00 AM.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorials be sent to Rosemount United Methodist Church or the MS Society.