Erika Carlson Schnurr, of Lucas, Texas, passed away on September 22, 2025, at the age of 57 after having been diagnosed with Lymphoma in June.
She was born on May 16, 1968 to Peter Carlson and Polyan (Justice) Carlson in Manchester, Connecticut. Erika spent her formative years in Florida and New Mexico and graduated from Manzano High School in Albuquerque. She went on to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and later a second master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Erika began her professional career at NASA, where she worked in the communication team for the space shuttle flight control. While working there, she met her future husband who was living in Dallas. After a couple of years of long-distance dating, she took a job as a telecom engineer in Dallas at Northern Telecom to be near him. On January 30, 1999, she married the love of her life, Eric Alan Schnurr, in Dallas, Texas. Eight years later, Erika and Eric were blessed to have twin children, and Erika left Nortel to devote herself full time to raising the children, building a life for herself and her family grounded in love, service and cherished moments.
Erika had a wide variety of interests throughout the years. During her professional career, she participated in many different activities: swimming, softball, volleyball, soccer, disc golf, LARPing, triathlons, ultimate frisbee, singing, painting, sewing, cooking, and weeklong hiking and canoeing trips. Once a mother, her activities were focused on the twins; cooking, gardening, sewing, volunteering to support the twins’ various activities, and driving them all over the place. Erika loved to travel and led the family on many lengthy road trips to visit relatives and National Parks.
A dedicated member of her community, Erika served for over 10 years first as a volunteer and later as coordinator of the Rehab team at the Lucas Fire Department earning her HAM radio license along the way. She was also a talented singer in HoUUse Jam Band and took up creating custom stained-glass windows. She had a deep love for her family, friends, dogs, and a warm, joyful presence that enriched the lives of all who knew her.
Erika will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished sister, niece and caring aunt, as well as a dear friend. She will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her.
Erika is survived by her husband, Eric Schnurr of Lucas, Texas; twins, Hannah Mae Schnurr and Robert Alan Schnurr, both of Lucas, Texas; mother, Polyan Carlson; sister, Kristen Accardi and husband, Kyle Accardi of Banks, Oregon; niece, Cassidy Rose Accardi, also of Banks, Oregon; and a host of other loving family and friends.