Services for Mavis Darlene Erickson
Mavis Darlene Erickson, 88, of Clearbrook, MN died on Sunday, December 18, 2016 surrounded by her family and her pastor, Larry Dorman, who she loved as her own.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday December 22, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Country Faith Church in Clearbrook, MN. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 at Cease Family Funeral Home in Bagley, MN. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Clover Cemetery. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley assisted the family with the arrangements.
Mavis was born September 29, 1928 in McIntosh, Minnesota, the daughter of Thomas and Petra (Haugen) Swanson. Her family lived in Clover Township where she and her siblings attended Clover Country School. She was raised with strong family values and a good work ethic. Ernest always had his eye on Mavis because she was such a pretty little thing. Ernest went into the Army and when he came home on leave, he began a short courtship with Mavis and they quickly fell in love. They began their life together on October 17, 1945. The newlyweds moved to Fort Hood, Texas where Ernest was stationed during WWII as a prison guard. They moved back to Clearbrook, after Ernest was discharged, and began their family. In 1971 they purchased the Erickson homestead, where Ernest was born. It has been home to the both of them ever since. Every place they lived, Mavis always made it into a home filling it with so much love.
Mavis was a stay at home mom until her youngest, Lori, was in school. Mavis worked at various jobs until 1977 when she started with Clearwater County Nursing Services as a home health aid. She would always go above and beyond for those she was taking care of. Mavis’s passion for helping and caring for people continued for 21 years when she retired at the age of 70 in March of 1998.
Mavis was such a giving lady. She would have given her last penny to someone who needed it. She put everyone else before herself. The coffee pot was always on and everyone was welcome at her home.
In her younger years, Mavis loved to dance. She also loved cooking, baking, canning, and flowers. But nothing compared to her love of spending time with family. In her later years, Mavis enjoyed going out for “a bite to eat”. Her favorite was to go on weekly trips to “PaluDicki’s” in Fosston with her husband and then go to the Dairy Queen for lunch. She was a member of the Legion Auxiliary of Clearbrook and a member of Country Faith Church since it started. Mavis had a love for life and everyone loved her spunky personality, even up to her last day.
Her family was her life and Mavis always made sure they were taken care of and provided for. She was a true Prayer Warrior for her family. She always kept up on all her children’s and grandchildren’s lives. She made everyone feel special and loved. She was called “grandma” by many more than her own. She was an amazing lady and will be tremendously missed.
Mavis is survived by her spouse of 71 years, Ernest Erickson; her children, Jerry (Cindy) Erickson, Patsy (Greg) Boe, Linda Ubert, and Lori (Greg) Bjerke; her daughter-in-law, Barb Erickson; 18 grandchildren; 42 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; her siblings, Ordean Swanson and Aileen Erickson; her special aunt, Minnie Smith; her godson, Mark Erickson; and many beloved extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Petra Swanson; her son, Larry Erickson; her grandchildren, Thomas Bjerke, Jesse Bjerke, and Kory Joppru; her great grandchildren, Lucas Ubert and Wyatt Eck; her siblings, Newell Swanson, Laverne “Bucky” Swanson, Jean Fuchs, Mildred Ballard, and Larry Swanson.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Good Samaritan Center in Clearbrook for all the loving care they gave Mavis.
Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com