Blanche Margaret Erickson

Blanche Margaret Erickson
July 9, 1920 – August 8, 2017
Funeral Notice
 
 
 
Blanche M. Erickson, 97, of Benson, died Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at Benedictine Health Center in New Brighton.  Visitation will be from     12 - 1 p.m., followed by the funeral at 1 p.m., Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Benson.  Interment will be in the church cemetery. Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson.  www.zniewskifuneralhome.com
 
Blanche M. Erickson, 97, died Tuesday, August 8, at the Benedictine Health Center at Innsbruck, New Brighton, with her daughters by her side.
 
A kind, modest, independent, and intelligent woman, Blanche was noted for her calm, gracious demeanor, her patience and selflessness, as well as her quiet strength. A reserved, private person, she possessed a generous spirit coupled with a quick wit and easy laugh. A loving, supportive mother and grandmother, Blanche enjoyed family gatherings, particularly those at the family cottage on Lake Minnewaska.
 
Born on July 9, 1920 in Benson, Blanche graduated from Benson High School in 1938; that same year she was crowned as the first Miss Benson. She then attended and graduated from Minneapolis Business College. She married Hjalmer Erickson on June 20, 1942. During WWII, while Hjalmer served in the U.S. Navy, she joined him in New York, Rhode Island, and Florida. Following the war, they resided in Benson, where they both were very active community members.
 
Hjalmer and Blanche were companions for 66 years, often working side-by-side. They enjoyed many excursions with their friends, including trips to Lake of the Woods, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and Banff.
 
After raising their two daughters and serving as a caregiver for her father, Blanche returned to work, first as a receptionist at Dr. Robert Sampson’s clinic and then as a secretary at Duane Hanson’s State Farm agency. 
 
Blanche was an avid golfer, active in the Ladies League at the Benson Golf Club for many years. A sports enthusiast, she cheered on the Benson Braves, the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, and the Golden Gophers basketball and football teams. She also attended many of her grandson Adam’s baseball and basketball games at Spring Lake Park High School. 
 
She enjoyed the natural world, as well as swimming, reading, crossword puzzles, crocheting, sewing, singing, and dancing. She appreciated many genres of music. A member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, Blanche sang in the choir, participated in Ladies Circle and Bible Study groups, and served as the smorgasbord chairwoman one year. She was a wonderful cook and creator of delicious baked goods, including traditional Norwegian breads and cookies. 
 
A long-time member of the Sons of Norway, Blanche was proud of her Norwegian heritage. Both of her parents, Sivert and Anna (Hauge) Berg, had emigrated from Norway as young adults. In 1977, she traveled to Norway with her sister, Alfhild Salls. They toured Oslo and Bergen, visited family members, and traveled to her parents’ home-places near Bergen and in Selje, Nordfjorden.
 
Blanche was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Hjalmer; her sons-in-law Charles (Rusty) Stromgren and Richard (Dick) Cain; her brothers Norman and Sigurd, who died in infancy, and her sisters Alfhild and Borghild; as well as many dear friends. She is survived by her loving, devoted daughters, Linda Stromgren of Blaine, MN, and Anne-Marie Erickson of Grand Rapids, MN, her grandson Adam (Erin) Stromgren and great-granddaughter, Kenley Stromgren, as well as several nieces and nephews. 
 
Blanche finally has returned home to her beloved Benson. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 19, at 1 p.m. at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, Benson, preceded by visitation beginning at Noon. Interment will be at Our Redeemer’s Cemetery immediately following the funeral; after the burial, luncheon will be served in the church fellowship hall. 
 
Memorials preferred to Our Redeemer’s Church kitchen fund or the Sons of Norway Foundation’s King Olaf V Norwegian-American Heritage Scholarship Fund.
 
Blanche Erickson lived a long, rich life and leaves a legacy of loving-kindness. She was beautiful in every way.
 
Please sign the guest book at www.zniewskifuneralhome.com .