Constance "Aurora" Erickson's
Aurora (Constance Aurora) Erickson of Camrose, Alberta passed away June 7, 2018 at the age of 98 years.
She is survived by her children: Ron of Vancouver, BC; Marilyn (Terry) of NY; and Rick (Lynn) of Edmonton, AB; her grandchildren: Nels (Sohhee) of Bronx, NY; Kirsten (Nadime) of Brossard, QC; Luke, Jamie and Blake of Edmonton, AB; her great-grandson Oliver of Brossard, QC; and her brother Harold Johnson of MN.
She was predeceased by her husband Lloyd, their eldest son Bob, and her siblings Carl Johnson of MN, Margaret Johnson of Calgary, AB and Beatrice Torwalt of Leroy, SK. She is also survived by her many in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins in Canada and the US.
Aurora was born August 23, 1919 in Grand Marais, MN to the Reverend Henry & Hannah Johnson. In 1928 the family moved to Canada where her father served in many Lutheran parishes throughout SK and AB. With these many moves, Aurora developed her art of maintaining long-term friendships which brought great joy to her life.
She is survived by her children: Ron of Vancouver, BC; Marilyn (Terry) of NY; and Rick (Lynn) of Edmonton, AB; her grandchildren: Nels (Sohhee) of Bronx, NY; Kirsten (Nadime) of Brossard, QC; Luke, Jamie and Blake of Edmonton, AB; her great-grandson Oliver of Brossard, QC; and her brother Harold Johnson of MN.
She was predeceased by her husband Lloyd, their eldest son Bob, and her siblings Carl Johnson of MN, Margaret Johnson of Calgary, AB and Beatrice Torwalt of Leroy, SK. She is also survived by her many in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins in Canada and the US.
Aurora was born August 23, 1919 in Grand Marais, MN to the Reverend Henry & Hannah Johnson. In 1928 the family moved to Canada where her father served in many Lutheran parishes throughout SK and AB. With these many moves, Aurora developed her art of maintaining long-term friendships which brought great joy to her life.
Standing at back left to right is Rick, Lynn and Luke.
Sitting left to right is Kirsten, Lloyd, Aurora, Jamie and Blake. Picture 2008.
Upon completion of grade 12 she attended the Bible School at LCBI in Outlook, SK. In 1943 she married Lloyd in Yorkton, SK and the next year Bob was born and once Lloyd returned from the war they moved to Edmonton, where Ron was born. In 1947 they moved west, briefly to Mt. Vernon, WA and then Vancouver, BC where Marilyn was born and in 1956 moved to Edmonton, and Rick completed their family.
While raising her family she was active in the Woodcroft Community League teaching millinery classes in the 1960's, an art she learned from her mother. She was an active member of Mount Zion Lutheran Church and frequently shared her voice in song.
In 1971, in anticipation of retirement they bought a small farm in Kingman, AB, moving there full-time in 1981 and they attended Salem Lutheran Church. They had a winter home in Mesa, AZ for 12 years which kept them quite active and they traveled frequently to visit family.
In the later 1990's they made their final moves, first to Liberty Village and then Deer Meadows and attended Messiah Lutheran.
Aurora had a long and interesting life that revolved around family, friends and church. She will be missed but left many wonderful memories behind.
Eulogy by Pastor Doug Hanson-Torwalt
Memorial Service, Friday, June 15, 2018
Messiah Lutheran Church, Camrose, Alberta
While raising her family she was active in the Woodcroft Community League teaching millinery classes in the 1960's, an art she learned from her mother. She was an active member of Mount Zion Lutheran Church and frequently shared her voice in song.
In 1971, in anticipation of retirement they bought a small farm in Kingman, AB, moving there full-time in 1981 and they attended Salem Lutheran Church. They had a winter home in Mesa, AZ for 12 years which kept them quite active and they traveled frequently to visit family.
In the later 1990's they made their final moves, first to Liberty Village and then Deer Meadows and attended Messiah Lutheran.
Aurora had a long and interesting life that revolved around family, friends and church. She will be missed but left many wonderful memories behind.
Eulogy by Pastor Doug Hanson-Torwalt
Memorial Service, Friday, June 15, 2018
Messiah Lutheran Church, Camrose, Alberta
Minneord om Aurora Erickson
Bisettes 15. juni 2018 i Camrose
Dear Family! Dear mourners!
It was with great sorrow the family in Norway heard that Aurora Erickson passed away Thursday a week ago. She was several times visiting family here in Norway, together with her dear Lloyd. We remember her as always smiling, always warm at heart and always interested in family and history.
Myself I have visited Aurora at her home three times. The first time was in 2008, at my first family reunion. The reunion was at the Erickson Hjemsted, but Aurora and Lloyd wanted me to stay closer to them that weekend. We have before that had a long letter-relationship, so we really knew each other pretty well.
Lloyd even visited me at my home in Mid-Norway the summer of 1990, after his visit in Stadlandet. We got real close friends after that! He also met my Stepfather in Ekne, Norway.
It was with great sorrow the family in Norway heard that Aurora Erickson passed away Thursday a week ago. She was several times visiting family here in Norway, together with her dear Lloyd. We remember her as always smiling, always warm at heart and always interested in family and history.
Myself I have visited Aurora at her home three times. The first time was in 2008, at my first family reunion. The reunion was at the Erickson Hjemsted, but Aurora and Lloyd wanted me to stay closer to them that weekend. We have before that had a long letter-relationship, so we really knew each other pretty well.
Lloyd even visited me at my home in Mid-Norway the summer of 1990, after his visit in Stadlandet. We got real close friends after that! He also met my Stepfather in Ekne, Norway.
Our close relationship was the reason they made it so I could stay at a motel in Viking during the reunion in 2008. I was also together with them at their apartment in Camrose a whole day. They told me that Camrose means The city of Roses, and that is the exact same name we use for Molde in Norway – Rosenes by meaning: The City of Roses.
I visited Auroa twice after Lloyd passed away. Aurora and I also wrote emails to each other, but not so often these last couple of years. Last time I spoke with her, was at the family reunion last year, 2017.
I thought she was younger than last time I met her. She sat outside, in the shadow, away from the hot sun, together with a lovely Molde-woman Lily Solveig Erickson. We could hear Auroras laughter from time to time, as family members played games in the garden in front of her. Lovely woman, lovely laughter!
I visited Auroa twice after Lloyd passed away. Aurora and I also wrote emails to each other, but not so often these last couple of years. Last time I spoke with her, was at the family reunion last year, 2017.
I thought she was younger than last time I met her. She sat outside, in the shadow, away from the hot sun, together with a lovely Molde-woman Lily Solveig Erickson. We could hear Auroras laughter from time to time, as family members played games in the garden in front of her. Lovely woman, lovely laughter!
I have spoken with my aunt, Petra Honningsvaag (78), the oldest member of our family in Norway. She wanted me to put in a last farewell to Aurora from her.
Aurora visited Honningsvaag in Norway several times together with her dear Lloyd. They always went to my aunt Petra and stayed there, close to the old house and close to the small original farm of our Honningsvaag family.
It was here Aurora’s mother-in-law - Lloyd’s mother - Anna Honningsvaag Erickson was born and raised.
Petra told me that she stayed at Aurora and Lloyd’s in Edmonton when she visited family in Canada and USA in 1986. She still has lot of good memories from that stay.
Aurora was for us in Norway always the hospital one, and always wanting the best for you! A great little lady, and a dear friend!
On behalf of our family in Norway, I say:
Takk for alt, Kjære Aurora!
Du var alltid kjærlig, god og snill. Vi deg aldri glemme vil!
In English:
Thanks for everything, dear Aurora! You were always caring, good and kind. You will never leave our mind!
We shine peace over Aurora's good memory!
Sincerely
Svein Helge Falstad on behalf of the family in Norway
Aurora visited Honningsvaag in Norway several times together with her dear Lloyd. They always went to my aunt Petra and stayed there, close to the old house and close to the small original farm of our Honningsvaag family.
It was here Aurora’s mother-in-law - Lloyd’s mother - Anna Honningsvaag Erickson was born and raised.
Petra told me that she stayed at Aurora and Lloyd’s in Edmonton when she visited family in Canada and USA in 1986. She still has lot of good memories from that stay.
Aurora was for us in Norway always the hospital one, and always wanting the best for you! A great little lady, and a dear friend!
On behalf of our family in Norway, I say:
Takk for alt, Kjære Aurora!
Du var alltid kjærlig, god og snill. Vi deg aldri glemme vil!
In English:
Thanks for everything, dear Aurora! You were always caring, good and kind. You will never leave our mind!
We shine peace over Aurora's good memory!
Sincerely
Svein Helge Falstad on behalf of the family in Norway