Obituary for Erika Kay Garcia
Erika Kay Garcia, cherished wife, mother, daughter and sister, passed away May 28, 2021 after complications from lung cancer. God called her home at the age of 43.
Erika is survived by her devoted husband of 19 years Andres; her two amazing children, Addison Kate (12) and Parker Andrew (8); her mother, Linda (Hanna) Utterberg; her sister, Joy Hansen and brother-in-law Nathan Hansen; her brother-in-law Israel Garcia and sister-in-law Jennifer Garcia; and her niece and nephews Abbey Marie Garcia, Grady Clark Hansen and Callen Jack Hansen. She was preceded in death by her father, Clark Lowell Utterberg, and nephew, Rhys Von Emery Hansen.
Erika was born on February 1, 1978 in Fullerton, CA to Clark and Linda Utterberg. She had bright blonde hair and a spunky attitude right from the start! She grew up in Southern California, enjoying the beach and watching Disneyland fireworks from the backyard of her home. She was a kind and thoughtful friend to all, even as a child. She could do anything she set her mind to! Erika spent many days racing around on her big wheel, walking to Thrifty’s for ice cream and roller-skating in the backyard.
Erika traveled with her family across the western United States camping in their motorhome. She relished time in the water as a child, no matter how cold the water was! On one trip to Grand Teton National Park at about 11 years old, Erika braved the frigid lake waters when no one else would. She even used a giant log as a float! Whenever she went camping, she wanted a pool! Erika, her sister, and her grandma would go swimming and do a "three amigo” dance at the pool. She moved with her family to Bakersfield in 1993 and graduated with honors from Centennial High School in 1996. Not many know that Erika is also an accomplished acoustic guitar player and she favored purple anything!
Erika and Andres had their first blind date in Bakersfield at Mountain Mike's Pizza in 1997. They initially met on AOL when Andres shared, “I need someone to talk to. “ Erika responded and it was as if these two had known each other forever. What followed was a love for all eternity! They were inseparable from the very start! They dated while Erika attended California State University, Bakersfield as a Biology major and Chemistry minor. Erika was a smart and very dedicated student. She was committed to school and her education and eventually graduated with her Doctorate from The University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy.
On December 29, 2001, Erika and Andres were married in a beautiful ceremony at the Bakersfield Country Club. Andres and Erika loved their time as newlyweds in San Francisco while she finished school. They explored the city and enjoyed eating at fun, new restaurants and going to many movie theaters. When Erika graduated, they moved back to Bakersfield and bought a new home in 2005. Erika worked for many years at Mercy Pharmacy Plaza in Bakersfield. She took pleasure in her work at the pharmacy and was dedicated to helping others.
In 2009, the family welcomed Addison Kate and then Parker Andrew in 2012. Erika is a remarkable mother and constant and loving wife to Andres. She loves her children with admirable dedication and selflessness. She had a passion for helping with school projects and enjoyed going on field trips with the kids. Erika is proud of many things in her life, but none more than being a mother and wife. She is an inspiring role model to her family and those around her. We will forever miss her gentle spirit and calming presence.
Erika loves swimming in their backyard pool with her family, afternoon shopping trips to Target, and growing tomatoes in her garden. She can jump rope with the best of them and never turned down a bike ride. She is a superb cook. Brownies, chicken tacos, chocolate chip cookies, and delicious lemon syrup are favorites on the list! Each year she makes a cool and interesting cake for the kid's birthday. Her designs are creative and fun! Erika is an avid reader, a puzzle completer, and a board game player. The family often gathered for family movie night in front of their big screen! She has a hilarious sense of humor and an infectious smile that will always bring joy to our lives. Erika treasured time reading and praying together with Addison and Parker, as did the children.
Erika is a steadfast and devoutl follower of Jesus Christ. She converted to Catholicism in 2018 and was baptized at St. Philip the Apostle Church on March 31. 2018. Erika grew a strong faith and love for the Catholic Church and her Savior. Even though she left us much too soon, we find comfort in knowing she is at peace in the presence of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father in Heaven. We are so grateful to have had her as such an incredible example of kindness and strength in this life. There are simply no words for our grief, but we rejoice in the knowledge that we will see her again. Through Christ, Erika will always be with us.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in memory of Erika on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 12300 Reina Road, Bakersfield, CA 93312. Family and friends are invited to a Rosary and visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the church that morning.
Private interment to follow at Greenlawn Southwest Memorial Park, 2739 Panama Lane, Bakersfield, CA 93313.
Erika is survived by her devoted husband of 19 years Andres; her two amazing children, Addison Kate (12) and Parker Andrew (8); her mother, Linda (Hanna) Utterberg; her sister, Joy Hansen and brother-in-law Nathan Hansen; her brother-in-law Israel Garcia and sister-in-law Jennifer Garcia; and her niece and nephews Abbey Marie Garcia, Grady Clark Hansen and Callen Jack Hansen. She was preceded in death by her father, Clark Lowell Utterberg, and nephew, Rhys Von Emery Hansen.
Erika was born on February 1, 1978 in Fullerton, CA to Clark and Linda Utterberg. She had bright blonde hair and a spunky attitude right from the start! She grew up in Southern California, enjoying the beach and watching Disneyland fireworks from the backyard of her home. She was a kind and thoughtful friend to all, even as a child. She could do anything she set her mind to! Erika spent many days racing around on her big wheel, walking to Thrifty’s for ice cream and roller-skating in the backyard.
Erika traveled with her family across the western United States camping in their motorhome. She relished time in the water as a child, no matter how cold the water was! On one trip to Grand Teton National Park at about 11 years old, Erika braved the frigid lake waters when no one else would. She even used a giant log as a float! Whenever she went camping, she wanted a pool! Erika, her sister, and her grandma would go swimming and do a "three amigo” dance at the pool. She moved with her family to Bakersfield in 1993 and graduated with honors from Centennial High School in 1996. Not many know that Erika is also an accomplished acoustic guitar player and she favored purple anything!
Erika and Andres had their first blind date in Bakersfield at Mountain Mike's Pizza in 1997. They initially met on AOL when Andres shared, “I need someone to talk to. “ Erika responded and it was as if these two had known each other forever. What followed was a love for all eternity! They were inseparable from the very start! They dated while Erika attended California State University, Bakersfield as a Biology major and Chemistry minor. Erika was a smart and very dedicated student. She was committed to school and her education and eventually graduated with her Doctorate from The University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy.
On December 29, 2001, Erika and Andres were married in a beautiful ceremony at the Bakersfield Country Club. Andres and Erika loved their time as newlyweds in San Francisco while she finished school. They explored the city and enjoyed eating at fun, new restaurants and going to many movie theaters. When Erika graduated, they moved back to Bakersfield and bought a new home in 2005. Erika worked for many years at Mercy Pharmacy Plaza in Bakersfield. She took pleasure in her work at the pharmacy and was dedicated to helping others.
In 2009, the family welcomed Addison Kate and then Parker Andrew in 2012. Erika is a remarkable mother and constant and loving wife to Andres. She loves her children with admirable dedication and selflessness. She had a passion for helping with school projects and enjoyed going on field trips with the kids. Erika is proud of many things in her life, but none more than being a mother and wife. She is an inspiring role model to her family and those around her. We will forever miss her gentle spirit and calming presence.
Erika loves swimming in their backyard pool with her family, afternoon shopping trips to Target, and growing tomatoes in her garden. She can jump rope with the best of them and never turned down a bike ride. She is a superb cook. Brownies, chicken tacos, chocolate chip cookies, and delicious lemon syrup are favorites on the list! Each year she makes a cool and interesting cake for the kid's birthday. Her designs are creative and fun! Erika is an avid reader, a puzzle completer, and a board game player. The family often gathered for family movie night in front of their big screen! She has a hilarious sense of humor and an infectious smile that will always bring joy to our lives. Erika treasured time reading and praying together with Addison and Parker, as did the children.
Erika is a steadfast and devoutl follower of Jesus Christ. She converted to Catholicism in 2018 and was baptized at St. Philip the Apostle Church on March 31. 2018. Erika grew a strong faith and love for the Catholic Church and her Savior. Even though she left us much too soon, we find comfort in knowing she is at peace in the presence of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father in Heaven. We are so grateful to have had her as such an incredible example of kindness and strength in this life. There are simply no words for our grief, but we rejoice in the knowledge that we will see her again. Through Christ, Erika will always be with us.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in memory of Erika on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 12300 Reina Road, Bakersfield, CA 93312. Family and friends are invited to a Rosary and visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the church that morning.
Private interment to follow at Greenlawn Southwest Memorial Park, 2739 Panama Lane, Bakersfield, CA 93313.