Inez Joycelyn Erickson

Funeral services for Inez Erickson, age 91, of Milaca, will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 11AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Milaca with Rev. Tim Bauer officiating. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca at a later date. Casketbearers will include LTC Randy Erickson, LTC Reed Erickson, Mike Bailey, Shane Norman, Blayne Norman and Derrick Byker. Honorary casketbearers include MSgt Jace Erickson, Lisa Viste, Monique Norman, Michelle Deitrick, Denise Kaupang and Elaina Norman. Music will be provided by Inez’s family. Inez Joycelyn Erickson was born January 12, 1920 on the family farm in Mille Lacs County to Elmer and Laura (Mathison) Helmen. She attended country school at Chase Brook and graduated from Milaca High School in 1938. After high school, she did domestic work, worked at the Civic Club Library and then worked at Allen’s Department Store. On April 15, 1942, she married Herbert Erickson and they made their home in Portland, OR. She later moved back to Milaca with her three children, Lance Alan, Cheryl Rae and Gary Herb. After returning to Milaca, she worked at the Alfred Olson Company, Farmer’s Co-op Creamery, Allen’s Department Store and Milaca Elim Home, from which she retired. She enjoyed being involved with the Milaca Historical Society, Brookside Cemetery Association, 4-10 Club at Key Row, The Kitchen Band, Homemaker’s Club, church activities, quilting and Ladies’ Aid. She was an active volunteer at the 7 County Senior Federation, Elim Home and the Milaca Library. As the family historian, she kept track of all the family data. She died on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at the Milaca Elim Home. She is survived by children, Lance (Norma) Erickson of Milaca, Cheryl (Don) Bailey of Milaca and Gary (Carol) Erickson of Deer River; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Lois Packard; sisters-in-law, Marcia Helmen and Jeanette Hanenburg; brothers, Elmer “Bud” (Dorothy) Helmen and Lyle (Corrine) Helmen; also by many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; infant son; ex-husband, Herbert; brothers, Glen, Glen Oliver, Lloyd, Dale and Arden and sisters, Alta and Fern.