Gertrude Rosella Erickson, age 90, of Cambridge died July 11, 2016 at home. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 P.M. Saturday, July 16th at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel with Pastor Denny Wright officiating. A time for visiting will be held one hour prior to the service.
Gertrude was the daughter of Millard and Mabel (Strike) Thunstrom, oldest of 6 children. Gertrude was born in the City of Bradford Township. Gertrude met and married her loving husband, John Erickson and they resided in Bradford Township, later moving to the family farm where they enjoyed over 60 years of marriage together.
Gertrude truly enjoyed family and was blessed with 10 children, 12 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren. She was an amazing wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and neighbor, that knew how to cook for a small army if not more. There was always something planned for the next meal and mom made sure if someone was busy or needed a hand, she was sending them a meal to take home… no one went hungry. Mom was talented with cooking and baking so we were “dually” blessed in meals as well as great treats after school, for dessert, birthdays and incredible Christmas goodies with cookies and candies of all kinds. She cooked a variety of meals, from breakfasts of French toast, “dollar” pancakes, eggs of all kinds, some would think she was running a restaurant with an endless menu. Snow days were a great break from school and homework, but more so, we knew we would come in from building snow forts to enjoy Mom’s homemade breads, as well as her cinnamon and caramel rolls. She loved her entire family dearly and enjoyed cooking and caring for all of them while dad was working. Dad would ask for special dishes like Lutefisk, oysters, liver and onions, herring, etc. She lovingly made sure he would enjoy them, although she didn’t like those foods herself. She was an avid reader, enjoyed canning, gardening, and all game shows where she surely would have won if she had the opportunity to play, she was one smart cookie with a love for history and had a memory like a steel trap! She also enjoyed sports of all kinds and particularly fond of her children’s sports activities as well as the MN Twins, The MN Vikings and PGA Golf. She was also very concise regarding her family’s appearance and dressed them appropriately. This led to many shopping trips and another skill she handed down to all of us! She had a knack for fashion and it developed early on with a job working at a dress shop in Cambridge.
She loved the lord and enjoyed very little quiet time with a large family by choice, however she made sure she took time to read God’s word each evening. She was a great example to all of us and made us better people. She was a woman of few words, and yet again she made it clear there was a correct way to live with integrity and respect. While dad was busy working the second shift and farmland, she laid down the law. She definitely made sure the golden rule applied, “do onto others as you would like done onto you”. She also reminded us if we didn’t have anything nice to say then keep it to yourself! Be respectful and kind to others. Never use the word “hate” as that meant to kill.
Gertrude R. Erickson (Thunstrom) passed away at 90 years, 5 months and eleven days. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John, 2 children; daughter, JoAnn Peterson, son, Steven Erickson, three son-in-laws, George Yacevich, Donnie Anderson, Paul Ostrom, as well as brother, William Thunstrom, sister, Shelby Bones and brother-in-law, Fred, brother-in-law, Vernon Erickson, and sister-in-law, Lorraine Golberg and brother-in-law, Bob.
Gertrude will be lovingly remembered by her children, Jacquelyn Ostrom of Cambridge, Daryl (Faye) Erickson of Dalbo, Lynda Anderson of Cambridge, Craig Erickson of Isanti, Roxann Erickson and Terry Hansen of Cambridge, Brian (Lisa) Erickson of Isanti, Douglas (Debra) Erickson of Isanti, Christine (David) O’Loughlin of Champlin; daughter-in-law, Lorna Erickson of Andover; and many other loving relatives and friends.
Praying for strength, peace & God’s love to surround you all during this difficult time.
“There’s magic in a Mother’s touch, and sunshine in her smile. There’s love in everything she does to make our lives worthwhile. We can find both hope and courage just by looking in her eyes. Her laughter is a source of joy, her works are warm and wise. There is a kindness and compassion to be found in her embrace and we see the light of heaven shining from a Mother’s face.” Author Unknown
Wishing your family all the blessings of her life , the Joy of her future and strength to continue on.