Mrs. Martha Erickson (1833-1911)

ERICKSON, WOSTER, LARSON, HANSON

Posted By: Alan Nicholson
Date: 4/18/2010 at 20:29:55

Roland Record
2 November 1911

Mrs. M. Erickson Passes Away

Aged Pioneer of Howard Township Passes Quietly Away on Sunday Evening, Cause of Death Being Paralysis and Erysipelas

Another of the pioneers of Howard Township has passed into the Great Beyond, Mrs. M. Erickson having breathed her last at 9:00 on Sunday evening, October 29, 1911. About two years ago, she suffered a stroke of paralysis, which had since left her in a weak condition, although she was able to be up and around until a week before her death, when she suffered another stroke. Her condition was serious from the first, but her family hardly expected that death should so soon take place. She gradually grew worse, but did not suffer very much, as she was too paralyzed to feel much pain. The last few days erysipelas appeared, which also contributed to her death.

Miss Martha Woster was born in Woster, Strand, Stavangers Amt, Norway, December 23 1833 and was 77 years, 10 months, and 6 days old when she passed to the Eternal Home. In the spring of 1866 she came to this country, coming directly to Story County, where in the same fall she was united in marriage to Michael Erickson, to which union four children were born. They are Olaf Erickson, Jacob Erickson, Severt Erickson, who died some years ago, and Mrs. James H. Larson. She also leaves a step-daughter, Mrs. O. T. Hanson. All the children were present at the bedside when she passed away. She also leaves two brothers, K. Woster, of this place, and a brother in Norway. On July 30, 1910, her husband passed away.

Mr. and Mrs. Erickson resided on the old Erickson homestead, just north of town until 1902, when they leased their farm and erected a comfortable residence in the east part of town.

Mrs. Erickson was one of the quiet women who made her home the sphere of her activities. None who knew her could be anything but her friend, and she was respected and honored by all. She was a member of Bergen congregation, and was always an active member of the ladies aid society and was faithful to the faith in Jesus Christ, whom she learned to know many years ago.

The funeral was held from Bergen church on Wednesday afternoon, Rev. G. Smedal preaching the funeral sermon. The church was filled with friends and the floral offerings were many and very beautiful. Interment took place in the Roland cemetery. The sorrowing family is tendered the sincere sympathy of their numerous friends in the hour of their bereavement.