Helene M. Erickson

Helene M. Erickson, of Devils Lake, ND passed away at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake on Tuesday, June 23, 2015. She was 94 years of age. Funeral Services for Helene will be held on Friday, June 26, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Rev. Timothy Stout officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, June 25th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and will continue on Wednesday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Helene Mary, daughter of Gladys (Emigh) and Joseph Nahinurk Sr., was born on August 22, 1920 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake, ND. She would live her entire life in the Lake Region. Helene attended a one room school on the prairies of North Dakota. As a young girl, she helped with the chores and in caring for her siblings. She also worked as a hired girl for the Ziegler family for several years. Helene would meet her future husband at the age of 13 and she and Swen S. Erickson were united in marriage on October 12, 1940 in Devils Lake. When Swen was drafted into the United States Army during World War II, Helene and their newborn daughter remained in Devils Lake. When Swen returned from his military service, they continued their life of love together, raising their daughter, Joyce. When Joyce was in high school, Helene began her career at Mercy Hospital and would be employed there for over 40 years. She started in Central Supply but most of her years were spent in the Radiology Department of the hospital. She was a dedicated worker and always a strong supporter and advocate of the community and Mercy Hospital. Helene’s first priority was always that of a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed canning and processing the produce of Swen’s large gardens. She was an excellent cook and baker and loved to share her creations with family and friends. There was never a holiday or special event that didn’t include a houseful of family and friends around the table. Summer picnics and outings at Sully’s Hill were frequent family activities. Helene was a baptized and confirmed member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and always active in the LWML. She kept current on all the activities of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her faith in the promises of God and love of family was the legacy she passed on and we will keep those things and our fond memories close to our hearts. Helene is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Joyce and Darwin Peterson, Devils Lake; granddaughters and their spouses Deb and Darren Heisler, West Fargo, ND and Darci and Brian Trenda, Mandan, ND; great grandchildren Justin, Andrew and Brady Heisler, West Fargo and Taylor, Nicolle and Kyllie Trenda, Mandan; sisters Doris (Dennis) Toso, North Port, FL and Lila (Wesley) Pulst, Bella Vista, AR; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Swen on July 5, 1988; brothers Bobby Nahinurk and Joseph Nahinurk and his wife, Helen; sister Dorothy Martel and nephews Kenneth Nahinurk and David Toso. Serving as Casket Bearers for Helene will be her great grandchildren Justin, Andrew, Brady, Taylor, Nicolle and Kyllie and Darren Heisler and Brian Trenda. Music will be provided by Rick Senger and Mavis Blake.