Mae V. Erickson, age 91, died January 10, 2018 at Elim Home in Princeton. Funeral service at 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at Restoration Church (formerly Elim Church) 503 Polk Street, Anoka, MN 55303. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Mae Victoria Erickson was born February 25, 1926 in St. Paul to Victor and Jennie (Eliason) Hegman. She grew up in St. Paul and attended St. Paul schools through 4th grade. After losing her parents, she lived with her aunt Marie Rundquist, and cousin Roy Rundquist, in the Bodum Community of Isanti County. She had fond memories of attending the youth program at the local Baptist church. Mae graduated from Cambridge High School, Class of 1943. She moved to Minneapolis and worked at Minneapolis Moline, doing office work. On February 15, 1947 she married Richard Erickson at Faith Lutheran Church in Isanti and they made their home in Minneapolis. Their daughter, Bonnie was born in 1949. In 1952 they built a home in Blaine and in 1988 they moved to Lindstrom. In 2005 they moved into an assisted care facility in Champlin. She has resided at the Elim Home in Princeton since 2008. Her interests included crocheting, sewing, cooking and reading biographies.
Mae passed away January 10, 2018 at the Elim Home in Princeton at the age of 91 years, 10 months and 16 days. She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie (Gary) Rueckert of Ramsey; 3 grandchildren, Lena (Andrew) Shum of Al Hoceima, Morocco, Amy Engeberg of Anchorage, Alaska, Ryan (Kari) Rueckert of Spokane, Washington; 5 great-grandchildren, Hannah, Karin, Jenna, Asher and Ezra; and by many other relatives and friends.
I have fond memories from my childhood, of mom taking me downtown Minneapolis on the Greyhound bus. We got off at the seemingly large bus depot. We walked to Nicollet Avenue and shopped at all the stores. The Ben Franklin Store was my favorite. There was a pet section in the basement. Once mom bought me a little turtle that I took home in a little box. Other times we would have a fountain chocolate shake at the lunch counter. Or she let me pick out a dimestore ring in the seemingly big ring case. We sometimes ate at the Forum Cafe off Nicollet Avenue. That was a new concept to go through the lunch line with your tray and pick your items up. The Nankin Restaurant was a huge two level Asian Restaurant with beautiful murals on the walls. I also remember Mom and Dad being baptized. I grew up, attending church with them, which helped ground me in my Christian faith. Mom loved Jesus and I know that now, her fight with the fear and anxiety she struggled with, is healed. She no longer has to worry, safe in the arms and presence of Jesus. And she had her vision and hearing restored, free at last, and walking and talking with loved ones. See you later Mom. I love you. Your daughter, Bonnie.
If you ever met my grandma, you would know she was a woman of few words. Some might easily consider her an enigma, one who is difficult to read, or perhaps distant because of her reserved emotions. I know that, as a child, I didn’t always know what to make of Grandma, but the memories soon starting building.
I quickly learned you could always count on Grandma to make some of the best comfort food you’ve ever had. Creamed corn and candied sweet potatoes were regular (and in my mind, necessary) dishes at family gatherings. And while many chatted away at said gatherings, you could always count on Grandma to provide a welcome reprieve from small talk with a round of Yahtzee, Scrabble, Uno or Skip Bo. Of course, Grandma, being the expert that she was, would often defeat us, giving off a satisfied chuckle (though I’m convinced her satisfaction came more from being with family than winning). And Grandma always had something for us to do when we came over, from coloring books to puzzles and other toys to play with while the “grown ups” would chat away. There was never any shortage of snacks at Grandmas, either. Cookies, bars, candy, soda, we never left without having our sweet tooth’s satisfied. In fact, just thinking about it gives me cravings for wafer cookies, which were always a staple at Grandmas.
From holidays and family reunions to simple get togethers, Grandma always thought of us.
There were also many laughs over jokes and countless Laurel and Hardy videos. In fact, my grandparents had some of their own Laurel and Hardy moments. For example:
When Grandpa accidentally locked his keys in the house, Grandma paused, smirked, and jokingly called him a “dum dum” which sent Grandpa into one of his deep belly laughs. In another visit to their house, we learned they each had their own remote for the same TV so they could change the channel when they didn’t like what the other was watching.
Of course life also brought its challenges, but even in the hard and confusing times, Grandma’s concern was always directed to those she loved. Through all that life brought, my grandparents love only grew stronger and it was that love that held them through all life’s ups and downs. Grandpa never grew tired of telling Grandma “I love you” and when he past away a few years ago, my grandma, though a woman of few words, made it a point to tell us “he was a good man.” Well, Grandma, Grandpa wasn’t the only good one. Thank you for loving us so faithfully throughout the years. We will miss you, and we’re looking forward to some rematches of Yahtzee, Scrabble, and Uno when we see you again. We love you.
Remembering Grandma Mae…
I remember her
Sweet and loving spirit
Quiet yet strong
Who endured many hardships
And persevered to age 91!
I remember
her concern for others
Especially her grandchildren
and great grandchildren!
I remember how
She expressed her love
through cards
special gifts
and handmade items.
I remember
Grandma’s favorite recipes
Like chicken and dumplings
O gratin potatoes
And candied yams
I remember
Grandma’s hobbies
That nowadays
People take for granted
like embroidery
reading and
playing board games.
We had a lot of laughs together
And grandma liked to win too!
But most importantly
we all remember grandma’s steadfast faith in the Lord
amidst the trials of life.
She looked to Him
And His Word
For strength
encouragement
And peace.
In Revelation 21: verses 3-4, the apostle John writes:
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
We rejoice knowing
that grandma is in heaven now
with God
With grandpa
and with many others
who have gone before her.
No more tears
No more pain
Her life on this earth
Has passed away.
So Grandma is home
And she is free!
She is with God her savior.
We remember her life and celebrate.
Enjoy heaven grandma
We’ll see you soon.
We love you!