Obituaries | Sheridan Press

Victoria Leigh Erbschloe

February 18th, 1953 - July 10th, 2025

Sheridan Funeral Home

February 18, 1953 - July 10, 2025 On the tenth of July, our dear Vickie lost her battle with Stage IV cancer. This was just 30 days after doctors pronounced her recent persistent stomach ache was due to the presence of a cancerous mass on her pancreas—one that had metastasized and had spread to her liver, bile duct, and lymph nodes. The advanced state of this insidious and relentless disease drove the decision to enter at-home hospice where she could remain in comfortable, familiar surroundings and be close to family and friends. She is a remarkable, beautiful woman, who packed several lifetimes of relationships and memories into her 72 years. She was born on February 18th, 1953, to Bob and Jane Ferril, then in Kansas City, Missouri. The family migrated to Buffalo, Wyoming, where she spent her formative years enjoying the mountains (she was on Ski Patrol), hiking and camping at the family cabin, and working (she waitressed at the Busy Bee Café). In 1970 the Rotary Club sponsored her to spend her senior high school year as an exchange student in La Paz, Bolivia. Vickie counted no less than 7 coups/revolutions during her 9 months stay! Her four years of university (at 3 different schools) included a year studying abroad in Valencia, Spain, during which she traveled extensively through the western Mediterranean. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in foreign affairs, with a Spanish minor, and moved to the Los Angeles area where she worked in publishing and, ultimately, at the newly built New Otani hotel as an executive secretary. Her insatiable wanderlust took her to the Pacific Northwest where she was hired to conduct financial analysis for Boeing. She had been the bridesmaid for a college friend, who was married to an Air Force military transport pilot. Vickie was introduced to several eligible bachelors in the flying squadron but found compatibility and companionship with then 1Lt Don Erbschloe. They married in 1981 in Sheridan and celebrated a memorable reception on a glorious late summer day at her parent's new home. The life of an Air Force spouse is punctuated with a series of moves, providing both opportunities and challenges. The year after the wedding, they moved to Albuquerque for Don to earn a master's degree, followed by teaching Physics at the Air Force Academy. Their son, Spenser, was born in 1985, just in time for the family move to Oxford, UK, for Don's doctoral program. While he was drafting his dissertation, Vickie juggled being a new mom with pursuing one of her passions—she wrote and polished her first romance novel. That book, A Novel Approach, was selected by the Editors of Romantic Times as the Best Harlequin Temptation novel of 1988-1989. This was the first of 18 novels written over a 9-year period, which earned numerous other awards, including being one of five finalists for the top award from the Romance Writers of America, the RITA, for her book, Blackthorne's Woman. Throughout the Air Force life, Vickie moved 13 times. Two tours overseas allowed her to increase her total of countries visited by 16. Vickie is an inspiration—she took several budding authors under her wing, many of whom now have active publishing careers. Another area on influence stems from her amazing needlepoint work. An 8' by 6' rug project (which took nearly 3 years) was presented by the prestigious Woodlawn Plantation Needlework Show judges with a Special Recognition ribbon. She has inspired dozens of friends and relations to take up needle and yarn and many of those are passing the passion on. She dotes on her granddaughter, Sharron Leigh, who is a promising young artist herself. Active in the community, Vickie assisted the annual Brinton Museum Gala committee and served as an officer in the Wyoming Chapter of the National Society of Colonial Dames. Above all, Vickie is a devoted, good-natured, and delightful friend, with a 1000-watt smile. She will be sorely missed. She is survived by her husband, Don; son, Spenser; granddaughter, Sharron; sister, Debi; and far-flung family members. By her wishes, there will not be a funeral, however, a Celebration of Life is being planned, date TBD. The family requests that in lieu of flowers or cards, a small donation be made to the Sheridan Dog & Cat Shelter, 84 E. Ridge Rd., Sheridan, WY; the People's Assistance Food Bank, 2560 N Main St., Sheridan, WY; and/or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Online condolences may be made to www.sheridanfuneral.com. Arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.

Publication date: July 16th, 2025