Eric Erdelt, the three year old son of Paul and DeAndra Erdelt of Steele, passed away on Monday, September 20, 2021.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 1, 2021 at 2:00 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Steele. There will be a visitation on Thursday, September 30, from 5-7:00 pm at the Eastgate Chapel in Steele.
The service will be livestreamed from this website and for those would like to be near the church and stay in their cars, it will be broadcast on FM 87.9, but you must be near the church to listen via the radio.
Our little angel, Eric Reed, received his wings on Monday, September 20, passing away peacefully in his sleep. Eric began his life on July 21, 2018, with many health struggles, spending his first six weeks of life in the Fargo Sanford NICU. From the first day of Eric’s life, there has been an outpouring of support from family and friends assisting by sitting with Eric, supplying all the needed baby gear, providing places to stay in Fargo, and so much more. Eric was a fighter, continuing to get healthier and grow, beating each challenge, and loudly celebrating each success before moving on to the next.
Eric exuberated a loving atmosphere for all who were around him. He had an infectious belly laugh, shared the best hugs with everyone, and went out of his way to say ‘Hi!’ or give a high five. Eric loved to ask people for their name, sometimes repeatedly, and asserted that he was a big boy. He was not fond of nicknames, loudly announcing that his name was Eric (frequently spelling his name to correct the misunderstanding). He idolized his big brother, his cousins, and their friends, and always found a way to be included in whatever they were doing.
Eric’s favorite things included: his brother, his puppies (Gunner and Coco), chocolate milk, ice cream cones, popsicles, Aunt Kelly’s broccoli and cheese, his green Eldredge puppy, Mickey Mouse, Blippi, balls, puzzles, coloring, and music…even when dad played it too loud.
Though his life was brief, Eric’s memory lives on in friends and family. He is survived by his parents Paul and DeAndra Erdelt, and his brother Levi; uncles and aunts Leon Selensky, Kelly and LeRoy Krueger, Davonne and John Eldredge, Dani and Dean Schwartz, and Shannon and Erika Horst; godparents/cousins Trevor and Shanda Heidt, Samantha and Jesse Dienert, and Shauni Schwartz; cousins Jason Heidt, Ben Selensky, Mariah Selensky, Sally Selensky, Layne Schafer, Noura Eldredge, and Christian Eldredge; many great aunts and uncles and second cousins; excellent caretakers “Weesa” (Lisa Bartlett), “Mz. Spacey” (Stacie Fettig) and JPCC team, and “Neece” (Denise Stevens), and extended family. In his short years of life, Eric stole the hearts of his family and friends and will be dearly missed by all.
Eric is preceded in death by his grandparents Virgil and Elaine Erdelt and Lee and Eloise Horst; aunts Kris Selensky and Jennifer Schafer; and his special caretaker Theresa Stevens.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations in Eric’s remembrance to the Steele Swimming Pool, PO Box 302, Steele, ND 58482.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Eric Reed Erdelt, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
