Erickson, Martha Vedeen (1832-1918)

ERICKSON, VEDEEN

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:00

Daughter of Eric Ericsson and Kerstin Jonsdotter. Sister of Jonas Ericsson Vedeen.

Stratford Courier
July 11, 1918

Obituary
Erickson

Martha Erickson was born in Ovanåker, Hälsingland [Gävleborg], Sweden the 29 of November, 1832 and died at the home of her son, Frank, southeast of Stratford, the 4th of July, 1918 at 5:30 o'clock. At the time of her death she was 85 years, 7 months and 5 days old.

She was united in marriage to Olof Erickson in Sweden in the year 1855. To this union six children were born. Her husband passed away in the year 1900 and three of her children had entered into serenity before her. One daughter, Emma, died in infancy, and two sons, Erick and Albert, died in the year 1887 after they had reached the age of young manhood. Deceased left Sweden the 13th of July, 1855 and arrived at Bishop Hill, Ill., the 20/30th of August. In the spring of 18?? she, with her husband and oldest child, came to Hamilton county, locating in Marion township, and this community has been her home since.

She leaves three sons to mourn her departure: Frank, John and Oscar, fifteen grandchildren and one great grandchild, one brother residing in Stratford and other near relatives besides numerous friends.

Deceased made the trip from Illinois to Iowa in a covered wagon when that was the general way of traveling. She saw this country grow from uncultivated prairies to rich productive farms. She shared in all the hardships of the pioneer life. But she lived to see and share the results of honest toil and hardship. She died in the saving grace of Christ, and had hope and prayed that her last sickness would be of short duration, a wish which was granted for she was sick only one day and a few hours.

Funeral services were held Sunday at 2 o'clock p.m. from the Frank Erickson home and burial was held in the South Marion cemetery.

Card of Thanks.
We wish to herewith thank the many kind friends and neighbors who so willingly assisted us during the illness and the death of our beloved mother, Mrs. Martha Erickson, and for the loving sympathy, the singing and the beautiful flowers.
- Frank, John and Oscar Erickson