Erickson, Mary (Mrs. Victor F.), 1889-1933

ERICKSON, WATHIER, RISEN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

From the Alton Democrat, December 29, 1933:

Former Alton Girl Passes—Long Illness

Mrs. Victor F. Erickson (nee Mary Wathier) of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, died December 24 after an illness with purpural [post-childbirth] psychosis of more than two years. She was born at Alton 44 years ago on December 22, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sebastian Wathier. Besides her husband and eight children, she is survived by her father. and by eleven brothers and sisters.

Her brother, George Wathier, and sister, Mrs. A. L. Streff, left on Christmas day for Cannon Falls to attend the funeral services, arrangements for which had not been made at that time.

Mrs. Erickson was a tower of strength to friends and neighbors in times of trouble, nursing the sick and doing more than the limits of her own strength could sustain, bringing on the illness which proved fatal.

She was married to Victor F. Erickson of Cannon Falls at Sanborn about twenty years ago and since that time made her home at Cannon Falls where her husband is an expert miller.

The children, all at home, in the order of their ages are: George, Clarence, Katherine, Raymond, LeRoy, John, Kenneth and Helen Marie. The last named was born after Mrs. Erickson was seized with the illness and since her birth has been cared for by an aunt, Mrs. Fillson, of Cannon Falls.

As Mary Wathier, the deceased will be remembered by many in this community for her sunny disposition and pleasing character. The heartfelt sympathy of friends goes out to the bereaved family.

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From the Cannon Falls Beacon, January 5, 1934:

Mrs. Victor Erickson, whose death occurred on Sunday, December 24th, was born at Alton, Iowa, on December 22, 1889, being at the time of her passing forty-four years and two days of age. She was married to Victor Erickson at Sanborn, Iowa, on September 7, 1914. They left for Cannon Falls shortly after and have made their home here ever since.

She leaves to mourn her loss her husband and eight children, her aged father, Sebastian Walthier of Alton, Iowa, five sisters and six brothers.

The funeral was held at the St. Pius V church on Thursday, December 28, at nine o’clock. Rev. Buckley conducted the funeral services. Interment was in the Calvary cemetery. The pallbearers were Arthur Pagel, James Filson, Henry Nihil, John Ills, Michael Ills and O. E. Haglund.

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RESEARCH NOTES

FindaGrave.com has Mary A. Erickson, 1889-1933; buried in Cannon Falls Community Cemetery, Cannon Falls, Goodhue County, Minnesota; spouse Victor F. Erickson (1887-1973).

Minnesota death certificate no. 1933-MN-010388 has her as Mary Erickson, usual residence Cannon Falls, husband Victor E. Erickson; born 1889 in Iowa, parents Sebastian Walthier and Susan Risen, birthplaces unknown to the informant (Estelle A. Maguire, M.D.); occupation, housewife, last worked at this occupation August 5, 1931. Died at the Rochester State Hospital [a hospital for the mentally ill], Olmsted County, at 4 p.m. December 24, 1933. Cause, broncho pneumonia, duration 4 days. Contributory cause, undifferentiated psychosis, duration 2 years; had been under the doctor’s care since August 26, 1931.

Per the Minnesota Birth Certificates Index, a child named Helen Marie Erickson, mother’s maiden name Walthier, was born at the Rochester State Hospital on February 17, 1932.

The O’Brien County marriage register for 1914/1915 has groom Victor Fred Erickson, age 27, Swedish, born in and resident of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, a carpenter, parents Eric Erickson and Carrie Bertha Parson; bride Mary Agnes Wathier, age 25, German-American, born in and resident of Alton, Iowa, parents Sebastian Wathier and Susannah Reuir[?]; married in Sanborn, Iowa, September 7, 1914.