Irene Erickson,91
Irene Erickson passed away Monday July 5, 2010 at the Warroad Care Center.
Irene Bernice Torgerson was born October 3, 1918 in Polk County Brislet Township MN to Oscar and Gustie (Josephson) Torgerson. She graduated from Warren High School in 1937. She attended a teacher’s college and graduated in 1938. She taught school at Woodside School in Nelson Park near Karlstad MN and also in a school district near Greenbush, MN.
Irene and Eric Erickson were united in marriage on October 29, 1939 at the Eidsvold Church Parsonage in Halma MN. Eric and Irene were blessed with five children: Bonnie, Arlene, Sandra, Diane and Steven.
They farmed in Nelson Township near Karlstad until 1966. Irene was a farm wife; she also worked as a nurse’s aide for several years at the Karlstad Memorial Hospital. In 1966, Irene and Eric moved to Warroad MN where they were employed at Marvin Windows. Irene worked in the Accounts Payable Dept until retiring in 1972. Eric and Irene moved to Spicer MN where they lived until Eric passed away in 1990. Irene and Eric celebrated their 50th anniversary shortly before Eric’s death. Irene moved to Warroad in 2007 to be closer to her daughters Arlene & Diane.
After her retirement, Irene used her sewing talents to repair and make dolls. She was an avid collector of vintage dolls. In later years Irene would make children’s quilts for a homeless shelter in Anchorage AK, most recently her quilts went to the Roseau County Domestic Violence Intervention group. Many children were comforted by the quilts Irene made.
Irene is survived by daughters, Arlene (Marshall) Storeby, Warroad; Diane (Mike) Magness, Roseau and son Steven Erickson of Kodiak AK. Sister-in-law, Lillian Germundson, Karlstad, grandchildren: Cindi (Kurt) Klever, Kristofer (Mary) Snare, Erica (James Whitney) Snare, Renee (Larry) Milbridge, Sheri (Trent) Hard, Patrick Frolander, Erin (Eric Daniels) Frolander, Hans (Angel) Erickson, Cara Erickson; 2 step grandchildren Katie & Kevin Magness, 11 great grandchildren, 4 step great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
Irene was preceded in death by husband Eric, daughters Bonnie Lundin and Sandra Snare, grandson Richard Lundin, parents Oscar and Gustie Torgerson, sisters, Sylvia Peterson, Mabel Miller, Hattie Hulteen, Evelyn Jaster, brothers, an infant brother, Thomas Harry Torgerson and Gordon Torgerson.
Memorial services will be held Friday July 9, 2010 at 1 pm Zion Lutheran Church in Warroad MN. Visitation will be one hour prior at the church. Interment will be at the Spicer Cemetery in Spicer, MN.
