Alice Erickson

Alice C. Erickson, age 97 of Cottage Grove, passed away November 12, 2016 at Norris Square Assisted Living in Cottage Grove.

Memorial service will be 11 am, Thursday, November 17, 2016 at Crossroads Church, 5900 Woodbury Dr., Woodbury with visitation one hour prior. Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery, Red Wing. Memorials may be directed to Presbyterian Homes – Norris Square (8200 Hadley Ave. S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016). The family wishes to thank the staff and caregivers at Norris Square in Cottage Grove for their excellent and loving care. They were like a second family to her.

Alice Carol (LaLone) Erickson was born May 5, 1919 in Casper, Wyoming to George and Almeda (Warren) LaLone. At the age of 3, she moved to Red Wing, Minnesota to live with her grandparents for the next few years. She lost her grandparents and mother and at the age of 12 and was taken under the care of her uncle Ferd and grew up in the Midway area of St. Paul. While riding the Capitol Steamer, she met the love of her life, Emil Erickson in 1936, during the hottest summer in US History.

Following her graduation from Central High School in 1937 she became a caregiver for a child with disabilities and also received her license for Hairdressing and Beauty Culture in 1939. Alice and Emil were united in marriage on May 24, 1940 at Faith Lutheran Church in St. Paul. They lived in Savannah, Illinois for a short time before returning to St. Paul. Emil was employed by 3M for many years which allowed Alice to enjoy many years of being a homemaker as her children grew up. Alice was presented an award by the 3M Company for naming the Sasheen Decorative Ribbon product in 1950. She excelled in the homemaking skills of sewing, cooking, hospitality and artistic design. She took great care in her unique style and appearance. She was still style consciousness even into her final days. After moving to Cottage Grove in 1972 they became active at the Community Evangelical Covenant Church which later became Crossroads Church.

Alice and Emil enjoyed travelling and visiting family. In addition, she enjoyed going antiquing, shopping, bowling and was able to get a hole-in-one while golfing. Alice was a social person and belonged to several ladies clubs through the years.

Alice is preceded in death by her husband Emil, brother Bob and uncle Ferd. She is survived by her loving children, Joyce (Chuck) Duede; Lee (Dorothy), William (Patricia); grandchildren, Joel Erickson, Greg Erickson, Autumn (J.C.) Cornwell, Danica (Steve) Childs, Ali (David) Hovis, Dave (Deanna) Duede; 10 great-grandchildren, Eden, David, Rebekah, Sarah, Dexter, Thorne, Clementine, Hannah, Pippa and Gretta and one cousin, Jocey and friend Gladys.