Phyllis Erickson

Phyllis Ann Erickson, 78, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, December 3, 2009, at the Lakeland Hospice House in Fergus Falls. She was born July 21, 1931, in Grafton, North Dakota, the 4th daughter of Herbert and Pearl (Brayton) Herbison. The family lived in Minnewauken, North Dakota, later moving to Fargo, ND. Phyllis graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1949. She attended North Dakota State University graduating with a B.S. degree in 1953 with a major in Home Economics Education and a minor in Child Development. She also attended Merrill Palmer School in Detroit, Michigan.  She received her Masters of Education with a Focus on Early Childhood from the University of Illinois in 1969.  On June 10, 1953, she married Duane Erickson at the First Presbyterian Church in Fargo. Just after their marriage Duane was inducted into the U.S. Army, serving at Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Riley, Kansas, and Fort Carson, Colorado. After his service they moved to Bowman, ND, where Duane taught school. They then moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, while Duane attended graduate school, and in 1962 to Urbana, Illinois, living there until 1994. Phyllis taught nursery school in Champaign, IL for two years. She started teaching for the Urbana School District #116 in 1966, and taught until her retirement in 1994. She also worked supervising student teachers for many years. She and Duane spent time on the island of St. Lucia, West Indies, where she loved snorkeling and beach activities. Phyllis and Duane also spent time in Poland after Duane retired. While living in Urbana she was a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School, served on boards, and was chairperson for the St. Matthew’s Womens Evangelical Lutheran Church Association. She also played in the bell choir. She was currently an active member of the Rock Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Elbow Lake. Phyllis volunteered at Broen Home, and was active in activities at the Village. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Duane, who died in 2005; and a daughter, Jane Marie Erickson who died in 1992. Phyllis was loved dearly by her family for her positive and loving approach to life. Survivors include a son, Thomas Erickson of San Ramon, California; two daughters, Susan (David) Hares of Saline, Michigan and Marilyn (Nelson) Tears of Houston, Texas; six grandchildren, Kristine and David Erickson, Ruth and Debbie Hares and Kathryn and Meghan Tears; three sisters, Kay (Ro) Grignon, Mary Wenger, and Nancy Thorndal; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation:   3-5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with a 4:30 p.m. prayer service, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Service: 3 p.m. Monday at Rock Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Elbow Lake Clergy: Reverend Dan Cole Interment: Rock Prairie Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Elbow Lake Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com