Verna Erickson

Verna M. Erickson, age 84, of Gonvick, MN, died on May 30, 2020, at the Cornerstone Care Facility in Bagley, MN. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 5th, at Elim Lutheran Brethren Cemetery, rural Clearbrook, MN, with Adam Krog and Ron Erickson officiating. All are welcome to attend and bring your own lawn chair. Messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com. She was born on January 8, 1936, at her Grandmother Johanna's home in Rail Prairie Township, MN, the daughter of Helen Marie (Anderson) Pilon and Delbert Pilon.As a child, she lived a few years in Crosby and Duluth, but spent most of her childhood in Pillager, MN. She graduated from the Pillager High School in 1954. She loved to sing and used her beautiful alto voice in the school's many ensembles. After graduating from high school, she worked at the Midway Hospital in St Paul, where she met and fell in love with her husband, Ordean Erickson. They married on October 12, 1957, in Pillager, and spent most of their married life on the family farm in Gonvick.Having Jesus as her Lord and Savior meant everything to her and she made sure everyone around her knew it. She prayed daily for her immediate family, extended family and friends. She sang in church, taught Sunday School and participated in Mission Friends. She was an excellent cook and loved to entertain and serve others.In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her grandson, Silas Erickson and nephew, Michael Bingman. Surviving in addition to her husband, Ordean, is her daughter, Rhonda of Gonvick; sons, Randy and his wife, Ree, of Rochester; Richard and his wife, Janet, of Osakis; and Ron and his wife, Barb, of Williston, ND; eight grandchildren, Ann, Jennifer, Timothy and his wife Sarah, Torii, Isaac and his wife, Addy, Josiah, Ruthanne and her fiancé Hans Holzner and Collin; two great-grandchildren, David and Lenora; one sister, Mardell Bingman and her husband, Murray; one brother-in-law, Harvey Erickson and his wife, Sandra; two nieces, two nephews and many cousins.Thanks to everyone for their prayers, encouragement and support through this difficult time.A very fitting end to her life existed in the lines of her favorite hymn, "Victory in Jesus": O victory, in Jesus, my Savior, forever. He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him. He plunged me to victory, beneath the cleansing flood.Blessed be her memory.