Martin Erickson (1852-1937)

ERICKSON, HALVERSON, WIKRE, OLSEN, HANSON, JOHNSON, STENUS, SCOVILLE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/27/2024 at 11:29:29

From Story City Herald June 17, 1937 (page 1)

Martin Erickson Native of Norway

Martin Erickson was born in Stavanger, Norway, October 23, 1852, being the son of Erick and Malena Erickson.

Mr. Erickson immigrated to America in 1872. On Jan 18, 1877, he was united in marriage to Marie Halverson, and for two years they resided on a farm near Calamus, Iowa.

In 1879 they purchased a farm near McCallsburg, where they lived happily for many years. Nine children came to bless their union, two of whom died in infancy.

In 1916 they and their youngest daughter, Martina, moved to Story City, where Mrs. Erickson passed away March 24, 1921.

On June 14, 1924, Mr. Erickson was united in marriage to Martha Wikre. They lived together until the time of his death, May 30, 1937 at the age of 84 years, 7 months and 7 days.

He leaves to mourn his death his wife, Martha, and seven children, namely, Mrs. Emma Olsen of Seattle, Wash., Mrs. Ellen Hanson of Minneapolis, Mrs. Annie Johnson of McCallsburg, Mrs. Inga Stenus of Chicago, Cornel Erickson of McCallsburg, Mrs. Esther Scoville of Zearing and Mrs. Martina Nordgren of Des Moines. He is also survived by one brother, Paul Erickson of Rodman, 29 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren, and a host of friends.

He was beloved by all who knew him; his kindness and generosity were unbounded. He died peacefully with perfect trust and faith in God.

Out of town friends and relatives who attended the funeral were Engel Christensen of Calamus, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Helland of Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Johnson of Rake, Mrs. Elsie Jensen and daughter of Hubbard, Henry Swagart of New Providence, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Gould of Albion, Mrs. Bill Robison of Albion, Mrs. Henry Thompson of Eagle Grove, L. J. Wikre of St. Paul, Mr. and Mrs. A. Wikre of Hayfield, Minn., Gordon Wikre of Thor, Mr. and Mrs. C. Skarstad and family of Rushford, Minn., Mr. and Mrs. Wade Finny, Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Johnson, Lawrence Johnson, Fern Scoville and Mrs. Nordgren and son Frederick, and Christina Jensen, all of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Stenus and William of Chicago, Mrs. Ellen Hanson of Minneapolis, Mr. and Mrs. L. Scoville of Zearing, and Ed Johnson of New Providence.

Funeral services were held in the home and at the St. Petri church on Thursday afternoon, June 3, Rev. Sumstad officiating. The sermon was based on the latter portion of the fourth chapter of Paul's first epistle to the Thessalonians wherein the Christians are comforted by the statement that their dead have but fallen asleep and in due time will awaken to be forever with the Lord. In his closing remarks Rev. Sumstad bore testimony to the quiet faith of the deceased, which manifested itself in love for God's word and in self-sacrificing devotion to wife and children. The pallbearers were six grandsons, Lawrence, Milford, Alfred and Edward Johnson, William Stenus and Marvin Erickson.

A special song was sung by a ladies quartet consisting of Mrs. Lester Henderson, Mrs. T. M. Holm, Mrs. C. F. Johnson and Alvena Holm. As a tribute to the memory of the deceased a number of the neighbors made a missionary contribution of over twenty-five dollars.

Interment was made in Fairview cemetery in Story City.