Gertrude G. Erickson
Gertrude G. Erickson, 97, of Lake Mills, IA, died Monday, October 10, 2016 at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM Monday, October 17, 2016, at Sion Lutheran Church in rural Lake Mills, IA, with Pastor Steven Bang officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 PM Sunday, October 16, at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 East Main Street in Lake Mills, and again one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Burial will take place at Sion Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Gertrude Grace Hord, the daughter of Clark and Daisy (Kraushaar) Hord, was born on July 19, 1919, near Alden, Minnesota. She attended and graduated from Alden High School in 1937.
On August 18, 1940, Gertrude was united in marriage with Melvin Erickson at the First Lutheran Church parsonage in Albert Lea, MN. They farmed the first two years near New Richland, MN and then moved to a farm north of Joice, IA. Gertrude and Melvin worked together on the farm until they moved to Lake Mills in 1980.
Gertie worked at Cool Spring Canning Company and for Graphic Publishing in Lake Mills. She really enjoyed sewing, crocheting, hardanger, gardening, cooking, making lutefisk and lefsa, and crafting. She also liked to play golf, games and cards. Gertrude loved to travel, seeing most of the United States, and visited Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Mexico and Canada. She even enjoyed her 80th Birthday in Cancun! She most enjoyed the many labors of love for her family and spending time with them.
Survivors include her children Betty (Jerry) Brunsvold of Lake Mills, Maynard (Phyllis) Erickson of Emmons, MN, Charles (Karen) Erickson of Alden, MN, and Gerald (Lori Thompson) Erickson of Lake Mills; 12 grandchildren Alan Brunsvold, Jane Brunsvold, Marcus (Tracy) Erickson, Perry (Lisa) Erickson, Angela (Jesup) DeCook, Jeff (Ann) Erickson, Jacque (James) Sorenson, Kim (Chris) Jensen, Dan (Jenny) Erickson, Kelly (Dan) Matz, Jason Erickson, and Trevis Erickson; and 26 great-grandchildren Noah Brunsvold, Ashley (Andy) Yost, Amber Erickson, Matthew Erickson, Jessica (Nick) Breamer, Jon Erickson, Barbara Erickson, Alice DeCook, Lucas DeCook, Melissa DeCook, Lilly DeCook, Sally DeCook, Madison Erickson, Mikenna Erickson, Ryker Erickson, Jacob (fiancée Allison) Sorensen, Isaac Sorensen, Levi Sorensen, Caleb Sorensen, Travis Jensen, Alyssa Jensen, Grace Erickson, Tyler Erickson, Karina Erickson, Taylor Matz, and Garrett Matz; and four great-great-grandchildren Trey & Nora Yost and Ava & Asher Breamer.
Gertie is also survived by a sister-in-law Hazel Hengesteg, brother-in-law Marvin Brindel, along with many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Melvin in 1991; grandson Bradley Brunsvold and great-grandson McCale Erickson; and four sisters Margaret Weaver, Mary Lutz, Edna Hansing, and Waunita (Lunning) Brindel.
