Patricia Villars Erickson, 71, of Kearney, passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at her Omaha home. Memorial services will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in Kearney with Pastor Matt Fowler officiating. The service will be live streamed to the church's website at https://www.kearneyfirstumc.org/watch-online . Private family burial will be held prior to services at the Minden Cemetery. A memorial book signing will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Craig Funeral Home in Minden. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Pat's honor are kindly suggested to the University of Nebraska Medical Center – Hope Fund for Cancer, or to the Arbor Day Foundation – Plant Trees in Honor of Others at https://shop.arborday.org/commemorative-trees-for-others . Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.

Patricia Villars Erickson was born on March 13, 1954, in Minden to Bruce and Charlene (Borgaard) Villars. She grew up in the Minden area, and attended Minden High School, Nebraska Wesleyan, and then Washington University in St. Louis for physical therapy school.

She was united in marriage to Donald Erickson on May 30, 1981, in Minden, and to this union 3 children were born: Monica, Kristopher and Benjamin. While the family ultimately settled in Kearney, they also spent early years in Lincoln and Raleigh, NC. Pat was employed as a physical therapist by the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney and the Educational Service Unit (ESU) in Kearney, this is where Pat found her true passion while working with kids.

Pat was a member of First United Methodist Church in Kearney. She enjoyed ballroom dancing, taking walks around Summerhaven Lake, listening to music and gardening. Pat loved spending time with her kids, grandkids, and friends.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Donald of Kearney; daughter, Monica Erickson of Omaha; sons, Kristopher (Sarah) Erickson of Sammamish, WA, and Benjamin Erickson of Omaha; grandchildren, Astrid, Kell, Esben, Gabriel, and Phoenix; brothers, Daniel (Nyla) Villars of Minden, and Richard Villars of Gilbert, AZ; brother-in-law, Richard (Mary Harding ) Erickson; sister-in-law, Judy (Mark) Hanson; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended relatives and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bruce and Charlene Villars.

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .