Ida Mae Erickson of Fairmont, MN, and Armstrong, IA, died with family at her side in the early hours of June 8th. She had neither pain nor fear as she began her eternal rest with our lord Jesus Christ at the age of 91.
She was born Ida Mae Mortensen on January 15, 1933, to Adolph and Dina (Hansen) Mortensen in Dolliver, IA. She attended Swea City High School, where she and her best friend Lorraine were active in cheerleading, music, drama, and journalism. Always eager for adventure, she moved to Omaha after graduation to enroll at the Electronic Radio and Television Institute, and later worked as a teletypist for American Airlines in Chicago.
Ida Mae met her future husband Allen Owens in 1952 on a bus as he was headed to military service in the Korean War. They married when Allen returned from Japan in 1953, and soon welcomed their children Doug, Myranda and Sherry. They farmed in the East Chain, MN and Armstrong, IA area before Allen died in 1961.
She was working as a bookkeeper at the Farmer’s Co-Op Elevator in Armstrong when she met Howard Erickson. They married in 1964 and expanded their family with the births of Paul and Ivana. Ida Mae and Howard farmed in the Armstrong area until Howard’s death in 1990.
Ida Mae was steadfast Christian who enjoyed serving others. She was a bedrock of the Free Methodist Church of Armstrong for over 50 years, and during the last decade she found fellowship in the Evangelical Covenant Church of Fairmont. She attended several bible studies a week and found guidance and comfort in the word of God.
In addition to being involved deeply in her church and family, Ida Mae maintained vast networks of friends and neighbors, always making time for the people she loved. She continuously made new connections and fostered meaningful lifelong relationships. For decades, she was an active member of Women’s Study Club, and hosted elaborate parties. Any time she was home, her kitchen was open for spontaneous visitors to enjoy coffee and homemade pie or cookies.
Ida Mae took up quilting and lived contentedly as a widow for over 30 years on the farm. Her quilts were an expression of her style and beauty, and their designs became increasingly complicated and ambitious. For every wedding, graduation, and birth in her growing family, she created a custom quilt. These gifts exemplified her love and skill, and continue to be a warm reminder of her kindness and talents.
She was vivacious, loving, encouraging and enthusiastic, and delighted especially in children, who were attracted to her playful nature. She would get on the floor to join in games with them on their level, even in her late 80’s.
Ida Mae enjoyed sightseeing and novel experiences, whether taking a train with her sister-in-law to the Seattle World’s Fair, traveling to Alaska with friends, or driving to see her granddaughter run in a cross country meet in Duluth. She enjoyed road trips, regular family vacations in the United States and Canada, and visited her sister in Phoenix every year. Her favorite trip of all was to the Holy Land with her nephew in 2003.
She met adversity with faith in the Lord and a sense of grace that humbled us all. At the age of 90, she moved into Woodland Manor Assisted Living in Fairmont and became a favorite among her nurses as she radiated joy and fun, and continually expressed her gratitude to those caring for and looking in on her. We will miss her lively spirit, devotion to Jesus Christ, and tender yet powerful heart.
She is survived by her 6 children, Doug (Corrine) Owens of East Chain, MN, Myranda (Terry) Schultze of Cape Canaveral, FL, Sherry (Mark) Lundberg of Bennington, NE, Jackie (Micheal) Reuter of Carol Stream, IL, Paul Erickson of Armstrong, IA, and Ivana (Mike) Begley of Seattle, WA; 15 grandchildren, Crystal (David) Buszmann, Rosanne (Tom) Narvesen, Melody (Brock) Luttenegger, Michelle (Nick) Duer, Cindy (Kerry) Kuehn, Terry Curt (Ashley) Schultze, Alex (Gabby) Schultze, Emory Ryan (Tracey) Lundberg, Mandy Lundberg, Molly (Bryan) Hoge, Bree (Dylan) Erickson, Kimberly Miller, Mick (Marilyn) Reuter, Andrew (Sarah) Reuter and Melissa (Brad) Smith; dozens of great-great grandchildren; sister, Ruth Lazar of Phoenix, AZ; sisters-in-law, Karen Mortensen of Swea City, IA, Ivy Mortensen of Fairmont, MN and Linda Thedens of Eagan, MN; and many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Dina Mortensen; two husbands, Allen Owens and Howard Erickson; parents-in-law, Lynn and Gladys Owens and Forrest and Mamie Erickson; sister, Irene Rhoda; and brothers, Dean, Vern, Don, Robert and Ralph Mortensen.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 28, 2024, at the Fairmont Evangelical Covenant Church. Burial will be held at Swea Township Cemetery in rural Swea City, IA. Visitation will be held 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Those wishing to view the service remotely may go to the church Facebook page or YouTube channel.
