AMUNDSEN, ERIKA , a friend to so many, died November 9, 2005, at Doctors Hospital in Sarasota, FL. Erika's full and joyful life was defined by a dedication to her family and a passion for the sport of ice skating. Born in Kassel, Germany, on January 27, 1925, Erika fell in love with ice skating at an early age. She qualified for the National Championships in Germany, but the outbreak of World War II resulted in the cancellation of the 1940- 1944, Olympics. After the war, she worked as an interpreter at the U.S. Army Headquarters in Germany, where she met her future husband, Earl Amundsen. His military career required several relocations, and each time Erika continued to enjoy and promote ice skating. In 1960, the Amundsens moved to Louisville, where Erika started her first skating school and became actively involved with the Ice Skating Institute of America and the Professional Skaters Association. Erika's passion was adult recreational skating, and she coached several adult teams, including the Moms on Ice in Louisville, and Tropical Spice on Ice here in Sarasota. Erika has received numerous awards and honors over the years for her work in skating. She was named ISI Woman of the Year in 1997, and had an ISI award created in her name in 2001. Erika was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Earl. She is survived by two daughters, Diane Zipp of Elizabeth, IN, and Iris Stonecipher of Atlanta, GA, and their husbands, Fred Zipp and Brad Stonecipher. She also leaves behind four grandchildren, Haley Stonecipher, Nick Stonecipher, Andrew Zipp and Daniel Zipp, as well as Earl's son, Glen Amundsen, his daughter, Dara Purvis, and her three children. "Erika was a remarkable person, and she will be dearly missed by her family and all those she has touched over the years." A service will be held for Erika at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 12, 2005, at Weigand Brothers Funeral Home, 7454 S.Tamiami Trail. Memorial donations may be made to the Amyloidosis Research Foundation at 4174 Meyers Ave, Waterford, MI 48329 or www.amyloidosis rearchfoundation.org.
Published in The Courier-Journal on 11/11/2005.