RUTH HELEN ERICKSON

Ruth H. Erickson Obituary Ruth H. Erickson, 85, died June 16, 2013, at her home in Devils Lake, ND. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 34, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Chapel in Devils Lake with interment at the Finnish Cemetery, rural Brocket, ND Ruth was born near Brocket, ND, on December 26, 1927, to Hilda (Rekola) and Jalmer Lehtinen. She was the 9th of ten siblings. She attended Cleveland School and graduated from high school in 1945. Following graduation, she was offered a position in Washington D.C., working for the FBI. Her mother suffered a stroke, so she stayed home to take care of her and help on the farm. Ruth attended business college, and then, when her mother was better, she moved to Milwaukee, WI for a secretarial position in 1946. Her correspondence, with a returning GI from Brocket, Reino Erickson, continued through 1947. She spent her entire married life on the farm. She took pride in her gardens, flowers and yard. After the children were old enough, she went to work at the Good Samaritan Home in Lakota. Ruth was a member of United Lutheran Church in Brocket for many years and at her passing she was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Devils Lake. They retired from farming in 1977, and Reino died in 1983. She stayed on the farm for a few years, and then moved to Devils Lake. She enjoyed traveling, bowling, water aerobics, walking, reading, quilting and planting flowers. A highlight for her was a trip to Finland in the 80’s with her five sisters and brother-in-law to visit relatives. Ruth is survived by her sister, Helmi (Harold) Becker, Park Rapids, MN; daughters, Susan Foster, Spokane Valley, WA, Joyce (Don) Carter, Savage, MT and Janet (Scott) Staples, Idaho Falls, ID; son, Kevin Erickson, Grafton, ND; eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by nine siblings, Reino, Lillian, Sylvia, Dagmar, Oiva, Taido, Arvo, Esther and Waino; husband, Reino; daughters, Peggy, Nancy and Barabara; sons, Keith, Raymond and James. Donations may be made to the charity of your choice or to Brocket Pioneer Square, P.O. Box 173 or Finnish Cemetery Fund, P.O> Box 215, Brocket, ND 58321.