Irene Deloris Erickson, 93, of Two Harbors, died Tuesday, December 12, 2023 in Two Harbors following multiple strokes this fall. She was born in Hutchinson, MN on March 7, 1930. Raised on the farm with her beloved sister Marlene and brother Lester, Irene graduated from Hector High School in 1947.
She earned a Teacher’s Certificate from St. Cloud State and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from University of MN, Duluth. She loved being a second/third-grade teacher, and spent her entire career from 1951-1989 at the Minnehaha and John A. Johnson Elementary Schools to Otto and Thea Reckow of rural Hector.
Irene married a local boy, Paul Erickson, in June 1953. They had four children and busy lives with church, square dancing, golf, bowling, world travel, snowbirding in Arizona, cardplaying, and being loving elders to their 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 5 step-great-grandchildren.
Irene was a dedicated, lifelong learner and woman of faith. She spent many years teaching Sunday school and women’s Bible studies. She was also a prolific knitter and left a legacy of love in mittens and quilts.
Irene leaves behind her adoring husband, Paul, 95, and a loyal family – Sharon Erickson (Milt) Ropes, Linda (Doug) Rampona, Diane (Brad) MacFarlane, Dave (Annette) Erickson and our “fourth sister” Patty Trafford Jacobson and their families. She loved us all.
The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Two Harbors.
To share a memory or leave an online condolence, visit www.cavallinfuneralhome.com.
