Erickson, Irene (Kolegraph) 1921 - 2004

ERICKSON, KOLEGRAPH, GOETTELMAN, PROCHASKA, STYVE

Posted By: Norman Hjelmeland (email)
Date: 1/28/2014 at 11:02:25

Irene Erickson

Funeral services for Irene Erickson of Cresco will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 7 at Notre Dame Parish-St. Joseph's Worship Center in Cresco.

Interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cresco.

Friends may call at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening with a 5:00 p.m. Rosary service and a 7:00 p.m. Legion Auxiliary service. Friends may also call one hour prior to services at the church.

Irene, 83, died Sunday, October 3, 2004 at the Regional Health Services of Howard County.

Irene Erickson was born August 17, 1921 in Canoe Township, Winneshiek County, the daughter of Philip and Clara (Goettelman) Kolegraph. She graduated from Decorah High School in 1938.

On May 17, 1939 she married Lyle Erickson in Decorah. They lived in Manitowoc, WI while Lyle was building submarines. They also farmed in the Frankville, Westgate and Decorah areas. They moved to Cresco in 1948. In Cresco Irene and Lyle started the E & B Tractor Company with Mr. Brunhagen, where she was the bookkeeper. She then worked for another Implement Dealer and also at the Credit Bureau. After Lyle got his Real Estate License she worked as bookkeeper and auction clerk with Lyle Erickson Real Estate and Auction Company, which is currently known as Erickson-Prochaska, Inc. After retiring in Cresco in 1985, she and Lyle moved to Bella Vista, AR. They started an Auction Company in Arizona. They returned to Cresco in 1989 but continued to spend the winter and early spring in warmer climates until Lyle passed away in 1994.

Organizations and Club Affiliations: National and Iowa Auctioneer

Association Auxiliary and server as President of both the state and national groups, also a Board Member and Historian of both groups, Cimota, GFWC, Howard County Historical Society as past Treasurer and board member, American Legion Auxiliary, Notre Dame Circles of Faith, served as President of the former St. Joe's Parish including the Finance Committee, was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Howard County Hospital. She was also one of the women responsible for starting the Howard County Hospital Auxiliary and served as its President. She was instrumental in starting the HCH (RHSHC) Scholarship awards and Chaired the annual Quilt Auction for several years.

Irene was also a member of the Notre Dame Parish, and an Honorary member of Crestwood FFA, she was also a Camp Fire Girl Leader for four years. She was also a past leader of the sewing circle of the former St. Joseph's Parish.

Most treasured awards and honors: First Inductee into the National Association of Auctioneers Auxiliary Hall of Fame, being honored as the "Golden Girl" of the NAA Auxiliary at their 50th Anniversary Celebration, and being selected as the Grand Marshall of Cresco's Santa Parade.

She is survived by one son: Kenneth of Charlotte NC; one daughter: Barbara Prochaska of Cresco; four grandchildren; four great-grandsons; and one sister: Hazel Styve of Decorah.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband Lyle in 1994; her parents; and one brother: Walter.

Source: North Central Iowa Genealogical Society (ncigs) data base, October, 2004

Oak Lawn cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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