1929
Doris
2008
Doris Erickson
August 25, 1929 — September 17, 2008
Doris Arlene Johnson, was born on the family farm in Macsville Township in Grant County, Minnesota, on August 25, 1929 to Richard and Gladys (Wilts) Johnson. Doris was the youngest of five children. She was baptized and confirmed by Reverend Carl Gustafson at Bethel Lutheran Church in Herman. She grew up on a farm south of Herman. Doris attended grade school at District #62 through the 7
th
grade. There were only five students in the school the last year, but they still had a Christmas program. She started 8
th
grade in Herman, graduating from there in 1947.
Doris was united in marriage to Melvin Erickson on June 19, 1950 at Kongsvinger Lutheran Church, rural Donnelly. They lived and farmed with Melvin’s parents, Anton and Agnes Erickson for a couple of years. When they were living there, David was born. They moved to Doris’ parents’ farm by Herman for a short time, then moved to the farm east of Donnelly, where Melvin’s mother grew up. This is where their four daughters were born. They farmed and raised a variety of animals. Melvin and David died in a house fire in 1975. Doris and her girls continued to live on the farm, renting the farmland out, but this made it possible for the girls to have their horses and other animals. Doris sold the farm to her daughter and son-in-law, Jeanne and Dale Ennen in 1991, after her youngest daughter, Sheila graduated from high school. Doris bought a house in Donnelly and enjoyed spending time with her friends and going to Sax’s Café for coffee.
In 2004, Doris was reunited with her biological son that she had given up for adoption. Everything was as it should be in God’s perfect timing. There has been many memories made with her five children and their families. Family has always been very important to Doris and she had a way of making the best of a bad situation and fighting back against the odds. She has given her family a great gift, showing, by example, how to have strength, courage and faith to persevere when the times got tough.
Doris was a member of Kongsvinger Lutheran Church, where she was active in the ELCA. She was also a member of the Homemakers Club, she belonged to a bowling league, Parents Without Partners and was a 4-H Leader. She enjoyed refinishing furniture, sewing, embroidery, dancing and playing cards. She appreciated the time she spent with her family and friends.
Doris entered the Barrett Care Center in Barrett, MN in December 2007 and lived there until the time of her death on September 17, 2008, having reached the age of 79 years and 23 days.
Doris is survived by one son: Lee (Donna) Haugen of Milan; four daughters: Peggy (Larry) Ascheman of Breckenridge, Jeanne (Dale) Ennen of Donnelly, Nancy (Santiago) Martinez of Tyler and Sheila (Trevor) Wendel of LaMoure, ND; 19 grandchildren: Chris (Stacy) Haugen, Stacey (Rob) Crawshaw, Trevor (Amie) Ascheman, Breanna (Jonathan) Paulson, Tyler Ascheman, Daniel Ennen, Brian Ennen, J.R. (Justine) Martinez, Vanessa Martinez, Brice Denney, Michaela Denney, Larisa Denney, Nicholas Martinez, Savannah Martinez, Katelyn Wendel, Wesley Wendel, Brady Wendel, Brett Wendel and Brock Wendel; three great-grandchildren: Taylor and Wyatt Haugen and Skyelar Martinez; one brother: Kenneth (Lois) Johnson of Donnelly; one sister-in-law: Florentine Erickson of Herman; one aunt: Margie Goltz of Stockton, CA and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband; two sons: David and Bruce; one infant daughter; her parents; two brothers: Harold and Hubert and one sister: Mildred Towner.
Pallbearers for the service are Doris’s grandsons: Chris Haugen, Trevor Ascheman, Daniel Ennen, Tyler Ascheman, Brian Ennen, J.R. Martinez, Brice Denney and Wesley Wendel. Honorary pallbearers are: Henning Awsumb, Leon Smith, Jim Aanerud, Dale Graff, Gary Smith, George Libbon and the rest of Doris’ grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sue Erdahl-Nelson will serve as organist for the service with the Kongsvinger Trio providing special music. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
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