Erin E Vierstra

On Tuesday, June 13th, 2023, Erin Vierstra (age 41) of Madison, Wisconsin, passed peacefully from this world to join her mother, Karen, in the heavens above.

Words will never capture the true essence of Erin; her laugh, her smile, her love of adventure, and of course, her adoration of the Packers. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, and partner, and forged many long term friendships that stuck together through good and hard times. She fought ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) with tremendous grace and dignity, showing us the true meaning of hope, love, and courage.

Erin was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, attended Madison West High School, graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of Georgia, and received an MBA with a focus on entrepreneurial business from Babson Business School in Boston. Erin was an ‘ideas’ person, working for a number of startups in Boston, had her own company in Colorado, and finally worked for ZenDesk. Her favorite activities were skiing, soccer, ice skating, surfing, traveling the world, hanging with friends and family, and enjoying the peculiar culinary traditions of Wisconsin (fish frys, supper clubs, brats, and beer). Erin was a true ‘Sconnie’. She lived her last few years in Madison with her sister, Leigh, her companion, Tim Willcox, and her mom, Heidi, providing continuing care and support.

We want to extend our appreciation for the excellent care Erin received from the ALS team at the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center at Columbia University in NYC, as well as her many friends who have been her constant companions; each of you was a lifeline during her last few years.

Erin is survived by her co-pilot, Tim (and beloved pets, Beazy and Sam); parents, Rick and Heidi Vierstra; sisters, Leigh and Rachel; brother, Jeff; sister-in-law, Evelyn; and many dear friends and family members.

Fly free Erin, you will be missed.

A celebration of Erin’s beautiful soul will be held on Sunday, July 2, 2023, at the Lussier Family Heritage Center (3101 Lake Farm Rd, Madison, WI) at 5 PM. Reception will follow. A second celebration will be held in Massachusetts in late July. (Please contact any family member for information on the second event.) In lieu of flowers, Erin requested that donations be made in her honor to Project ALS (projectALS.org), a leading organization that funds ALS research: http://fundraise.projectals.org/erinvierstra