Velma L. Erickson

Velma Lorraine Erickson, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center in Fairmont. A Celebration of Velma’s Life will be Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 10 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Fairmont with a lunch to follow. Visitation one hour prior.   Zaharia Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

  Velma was born on September 4, 1930 to Rev. Walter F. and Marion (Luedtke) Preuss in the parsonage of Trinity Lutheran Church in Jasper, MN where her father was pastor. She was baptized and confirmed in Christ at Trinity. Velma attended and graduated from Jasper High School in 1948. While in high school she took care of the family household for her handicapped mother and worked at Windy’s Café. It was one day at Windy’s Café that she caught the eye of a handsome WWII serviceman and agreed to a date. Their romance would be timeless. Velma married Randall V. Erickson on December 29, 1948. Together the couple was blessed with six children. They were married almost 66 years and set a great example of love and devotion for their family.

   Their early years were spent in Valley Springs, South Dakota. In 1958 they moved the family to Phoenix, Arizona where Randall established Erickson Electric.  Velma loved her family dearly and was a devoted housewife. At times she contributed to the family budget by cleaning houses and babysitting. As her children grew older, she held a job as a bus driver for the school and excelled as an Avon representative. Velma was very hardworking and always modest regarding her accomplishments. She seemed to shine at everything she did. In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing, reading, playing cards, and watching movies. Every weekend Randall would take Velma dancing to either country music or polka. They would glide across the floor as if one. Velma was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Phoenix, where she was active as a part of Bible study, LWML, and several boards and groups.

   Velma and Randall traveled the world together and had many adventures. Their travels included most of the US, parts of Europe, Mexico, Canada, and the Pacific Islands. The beauty of the Hawaiian Islands would draw Velma back to them time and time again.

   In August 2014 Velma and Randall moved to Fairmont, Minnesota and became members of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Randall was called to his Lord a few months later in December. Velma’s deep faith in the Lord was the compass she set to guide her life.

   Left to cherish her memory are her children, Rodney Erickson of Phoenix, AZ, Ronda Peterka of St. Louis, MO. Lori (Tim) Bartels of Truman, and Dana (Trina) Erickson of Phoenix AZ; brother, Eugene Preuss of San Marcos, CA; sister-in-law Phyllis Erickson of Brandon SD; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren + one due in Dec; 1 great-great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Velma is preceded in death by her husband, Randall; sons, James and Jerrold Erickson; sister, Margaret Gaulke and great-granddaughters, Naomi Crume and Haley Booth.

To foster the opportunity to create memories for years to come, please direct memorial donations to the Truman Campground, C/O City of Truman 202 W Ciro St. Truman.  A special project will be done in Velma’s memory.  

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