Victoria Erickson

Victoria Lynn Erickson

Victoria Lynn (Strobel) Erickson, age 61, formerly of Toledo, OH passed peacefully surrounded by family on November 18, 2021.  Victoria was the third of four children born to Mary Ann and Cornelius Strobel in the small town of Hubertus, WI.  Victoria graduated from Washington High School in 1978 and promptly enrolled at the University of Wisconsin in Whitewater, earning a B.S. in Accounting, a degree that was highly regarded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recruiters. Victoria started her career with the FBI in June of 1984, which was groundbreaking, as there were very few female Special Agents at that time.  In the early part of her career, her expertise was concentrated on white collar crime investigation involving major bank fraud and embezzlement cases.

Victoria’s detailed investigative approach and her innate ability to create collaborative, inter-agency teams, were recognized and she was selected to join the elite FBI Evidence Response Team (ERT).  As a member of that Evidence Response Team, Victoria was assigned to numerous major criminal cases across the country; the Centennial Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta, the Oklahoma City bombing, the Unabomber case in Montana and the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center in New York City.  In addition, Victoria was selected to join an international task force investigating war crimes in Kosovo.

Victoria worked as a Special Agent/Evidence Response Technician for 30 years until her retirement in September of 2014.  Despite all of those career accomplishments, if you would have asked her, the proudest moment of her life came in 2001 with the birth of her son, Nathaniel James Erickson.  Nathaniel is proudly carrying on his mother’s legacy as a public servant and is currently a Midshipman attending the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD.

Victoria lived a humble, compassionate life and is preceded in death by her incredibly proud parents, Mary Ann and Cornelius Strobel and both sets of grandparents.  She is survived by her siblings; Neil (Diane) Strobel, Rose Marie (Daniel) Tetzlaff, Nick (Diane) Strobel, Jeff (Kelli) Stolen, James (Jen) Stolen, Karl Stolen, and Kirk (Marie) Stolen.  “Auntie Vicki” will be fondly remembered and missed by her nieces and nephews: Bradley, Elizabeth, Douglas, Jessica, Natalee, Nicholas, Amanda, Nick, Matthew and Melissa.  In addition to family, Victoria will be remembered by many friends and colleagues at the FBI in Toledo and Cleveland, OH as well as the many first responders and financial professionals that she worked with during her 30-year law enforcement career.

Victoria, “Vicki” as her siblings referred to her, had an incredible singing voice which was frequently and proudly displayed at her parish, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Toledo, OH.  She loved Irish music, gardening, writing poetry, biking and spending time with family.  Anyone who knew Victoria, especially the staff members of the Memory Care Unit at Arbor Glen in Lake Elmo, MN would tell you that she was easy to talk to, quick to smile and made friends wherever she was.

Absolutely, a “Special Agent” for 30 years, undoubtedly, a “Special Woman” for her entire life.  Private family services will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, Vicki would appreciate memorials to the Alzheimer's Association.