Erickson, Hilma (Benson) 1886 - 1930

ERICKSON, BENSON, CHEESEMAN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 10/21/2022 at 10:57:24

Clayton County Register, Thur., 27 Nov. 1930.

Mrs. Hilma Erickson, nee Benson, died at the hospital in Prairie du Chien, Wis., Tuesday morning, Nov. 11, at the age of forty-six years, six months and eight days.

Hilma Erickson was the oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. August Benson of Highland township. She was born May 3, 1886. In that community she lived all her life. On August 5, 1911, she was united in marriage to Levi Erickson, and then moved to Pipestone, Minn., residing there four years, then returning to Iowa and settling on a farm west of Farmersburg. Here they lived until the death of her husband on March 04, 1920. The dread influenza then raging caused her husband's death and she herself being seriously ill at the same time, and she suffered the physical shock from which she never fully recovered. To them were born two children, Iowa and Lavon, who now are left to mourn the death of a kind and beloved mother.

That same year her husband died she moved with her children to the parental August Benson home where she has since resided. Though Mrs. Erickson had not been strong for the past ten years, it is in the last four years that her health had little by little been failing, suffering at time intense nervousness and then again, for a time, felt very well. During her last illness she suffered no pain, but an ever increasing weakness, and she contracted the now so prevalent intestinal flu, hastened the end. From this she seemed to be gradually recovering, when, owing to an ulcerous condition, a hemorrhage resulted that caused her death.

Mrs. Erickson leaves to mourn her death her two daughters, Iowa and Lavon, her aged parents, Mr. and Mrs. August Benson, the three brothers, Charles and Oscar at home, Adolph in Chicago, and the one sister, Gjerda, Mrs. W. Cheeseman of McGregor, besides a large number of other relatives and friends who sympathize with the family in their sad bereavement.

Hilma was a very lovable Christian, a loving mother and daughter and a true friend. It was without fear she passed away, trustingly confiding in Christ as her Savior.

The funeral services were held from the parental home on Thursday, Nov. 13, and from the Highland church, of which she had nearly all her life been a member, with interment in the cemetery adjoining the church. The large mass of flowers and the large attendance of friends from far and near bespoke the good will that the deceased and her family enjoy. The pastor, Rev. G. Gunsten, officiated at the funeral services. The pall bearers were six neighbors and close friends, namely, Adolph Larson, M. E. Benson, O. H. Larson, Elmer Benson, Carl Torkelson and Leo Bolen.