Virginia Mae Erickson, age 90, of Cambridge passed away January 5, 2020 at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 11 at Cambridge Lutheran Church, 621 Old Main St. N, Cambridge. Visitation at 10:00, Memorial Service at 11:00, with lunch following. Memorials to East Central Habitat for Humanity are preferred.
Virginia, the oldest of 7, was born May 30, 1929 in Markville, Minnesota to Russell William Kelch and Louise (Bowen) Kelch. She was married to Robert (Bob) Erickson on April 15, 1950. Her husband of nearly 66 years preceded Virginia in death on March 14, 2016.
Virginia’s family was on the poor side, although you would not hear that from her. That combined with a cleft pallet and a sickly brother just a year younger meant that Virginia was to live with her paternal grandparents Bill and Nellie Kelch from a toddler until moving in with girlfriends to finish her Junior and Senior year at Sandstone. All this set the stage for being a woman who met every challenge and was a blessing for all who needed her.
Some “different” things people may not know about Virginia. She cleaned shrimp at Oceanside while her and Bob lived in a small hut on the beach with Bob serving a fifth year in Marines in 1950-1951. She was investigated and flunked lie detector test on nerves when working at White Bear Bank (they caught the person embezzling), got book keeping certificate at Globe, and for many years raised 2 kids when Bob was gone 5 of 10 days on railroad, all the while working full time. There is a lot more, but what says it all is a quote from her brother Bill to her son Rob “I’m helping you because of all your parents have done for others.” Virginia did so much for family, friends, and yes strangers. Sounds Biblical, yes the Lord has an enthusiastic welcome for Virginia into his kingdom this week.
Virginia was known by many for her work at Cambridge Clinic, co-founding East Central Habitat for Humanity with her husband, and Worthy Matron at Eastern Star in North Branch, among other giving activities in Cambridge, Minnesota and Donna, Texas.
She is survived by her son, Robert Erickson and daughter-in-law, Diane of Cambridge; daughter, Janyce Potter Erickson and son-in-law, Don Potter of Bloomington; 7 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brothers, Bill, Russell “Conrad,” sister Pat (Kelch) Turner, and by many other relatives and friends. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Jerry and John and sister, Sylvia.
I remember Bob speaking with near reverance about his mom, her strength and support. She must have been an amazing person and the impact she had on others will last forever.
Virginia was thoughtful and kind beyond expectation and made everyone feel like family. She will most certainly be missed.