Myrtle G. Erickson

Myrtle Erickson, age 99, of Grand Forks, ND passed away peacefully in her home on September 9^th, 2019. She was surrounded by her children.

Myrtle was born the daughter of Norwegian immigrant parents, George and Augusta (Holter) Haas. She was born on November 5, 1919 in Pleasant Valley Township, Walsh County, North Dakota. She was the 6^th of 10 children born to George and Augusta. Myrtle first attended school at a one room school house in Park River, ND while helping on the family farm. She later moved to Thief River Falls, MN. There she attended Knox School and Lincoln High School.

Following her education, Myrtle worked as a nursing assistant at St Luke’s Mercy Hospital in Thief River Falls, MN, Ebenezer Hospital in Minneapolis, MN, and Good Samaritan Society Care Center in East Grand Forks, MN. She worked at Good Sam for 22 years where she was much loved by both staff and residents. She retired from nursing care at the age of 72.   

Myrtle married Lennart John Erickson on January 20, 1946 after he returned from three years serving in WWII. Myrtle and Lennart were blessed to raise 4 children together – son, Myles (Gail); twins: daughter, Gale (Howard Corbett) and son, Dale (Nancy); and son, David (Janice). Lennart passed away on August 19, 1982 at the age of 72. Myles passed away on January 28, 1997 at the age of 47. Myrtle never desired to remarry. She had known what it was to marry her one true love.

Myrtle was preceded in death by her parents, George and Augusta, brothers Arnold, Lloyd, Fred, Arthur, and Vernon; sisters Linnea and Edith; her son, Myles, and grandchildren, Kevin and Kyle (twin sons of Dale and Nancy), and Caitlin (daughter of David and Janice). She is survived by her sister and brother, Olive Thompson and Arvid Haas, both of Coon Rapids, MN. Myrtle has 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. 

Myrtle has attended and been a member of the Evangelical Free Church all her life.  She and her husband, Lennart were longstanding members of Faith Evangelical Free Church in Grand Forks, where she remained an active member until her death. She found great joy in attending Bible studies and coffee fellowship with fellow churchgoers. Toward the end of her days, the verse she could be heard repeating over and over was Psalm 46:10 “…Be still, and know that I am God…” She took great comfort in knowing that her Heavenly Father was preparing her final resting place and was eager to meet Him face to face.   

Funeral Services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Faith Evangelical Free Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the church. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery of Grand Forks.