Eileen Louise Erickson
June 3, 1926- Jan. 7, 2025
Devils Lake
Eileen Louise Erickson, 98, passed away on January 7, 2025, at CHI ST. Alexius Hospital in Devils Lake, ND. She had been a resident of Eventide Heartland Center for the past five years.
Eileen L. Stewart was born on June 3, 1926, to Christine (Aaberg) and John Stewart and grew up on her parent’s farm northeast of Webster, ND. She attended a one-room school in Cato Township through eighth grade and went on to graduate from Devils Lake High School. She received a journalism degree from the University of North Dakota in 1947 and later earned a teaching certificate.
She was employed by the Devils Lake Journal. She then accepted a position at Wolford, ND school to teach English. There she met and married Wilhelm (Bill) Erickson in 1952. They enjoyed a lifetime of farming and a marriage of 59 years. Eileen and Bill’s Christian faith was very important to them and being active in the Wolford Lutheran Church was always a priority. They retired from farming in 2009 and moved to Haaland Manor in Rugby. Bill died in 2011.
Eileen was a person both interesting and interested in the world. She enjoyed painting, sewing, writing, bowling, cooking, gardening, “The Price is Right”, traveling and hauling grain. For a time, she raised pheasants and turkeys. At Christmas she corresponded with nearly a hundred friends and relatives who looked forward to a cheery note and rhyming poem. Eileen cherished family time with the Stewart and Erickson families and kept in touch with numerous nieces and nephews and never missed a birthday.
She believed that a jury summons was cause for celebration and expressed disappointment this summer, that ill health would deprive her of an interesting and rewarding experience.
Eileen was preceded in death by her husband Bill, parents Christine and John, her siblings Jeanette (Leo) LaBarre, Myrtle (John) Sagen, and Earl (Hallie) Stewart. She is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and their children all of whom she loved dearly.
Eileen will be remembered as a talented artist, writer, a devoted wife, aunt, great aunt and beloved friend of many. She was a happy person, joyful, optimistic and caring with a knack for making one feel loved and appreciated. Her infectious sense of humor and generous spirit will be missed.
May you kindly consider memorials to the Wolford Lutheran Church, Wolford Cemetery or the animal shelter of your choice.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby. Burial will be held at the Wolford Cemetery in the spring.
Published by The Pierce County Tribune, January 18, 2025.