Eldyne J. Erickson

A Celebration of Life for Eldyne J. Erickson of Roseau, MN will be held on Monday, October 3, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Messiah Lutheran Church in Roseau, MN. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 2, 2022 from 5-7 PM with a service at 7PM at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau, MN. 

Eldyne Joyce (Anderson) Erickson was born on January 3, 1928 to Elmer and Olga (Paulson) Anderson. She was born and raised in Roseau until her parents moved to Detroit during her freshman year to work in a munitions plant during WWII. She came back to Roseau for her senior year. Before graduating high school in 1946 she was a cheerleader for the 1946 State Hockey Championship team and for the only Ram boy’s basketball team to play in a state tournament. She fell for the guard on the basketball team who became the love of her life, Binky Erickson. They were married in 1948 and had six children; Patty (Ron) Vatnsdal, Roger (Carol), Charles, Carol (Tom) Larson, Sharon (Dave) Grafstrom, and Bryan (Dianne). Eldyne was a woman ahead of her time. She purchased her own business, The Roseau Accounting Service which she eventually operated out of her home.

A new opportunity for Binky to manage an Electric Coop arose, which led to selling the business to her nephew.  Eldyne and Binky moved to Arcadia, Wisconsin in 1983. They enjoyed living in Arcadia for 13 years, making many life-long friends. They returned home to Roseau in 1995 where they loved following their grandchildren, nieces and nephews in a wide variety of sports. In recent years, Eldyne and her sister LaMae were super-fans at most Roseau sporting events including volleyball, basketball, golf, baseball, track and especially hockey.

Eldyne was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 75 years and of The Women of the ELCA for about the same length of time. You didn’t have to be around Eldyne very long before a game of some kind would break out, particularly a card game. She and LaMae were long time Bridge Marathon Champions, showing those much younger how to play the game well. Pinochle (or any) games with grandchildren were a favorite pass time. In earlier years Eldyne and Binky would team up with the Lundbohms or the Magnussons to compete in curling bonspiels or golf tournaments around the area.

Family was very important to Eldyne. She treasured her grandchildren and great grandchildren, but she also treasured her extended family. She loved the role of aunt and great-aunt and she played an important role in their lives. She appreciated every visit, phone call, card, letter or tin of Christmas chocolates she received, as they kept the connection with her siblings and in-laws alive and well.

Eldyne was blessed with a life well lived and she was well-loved. She and Binky enjoyed over 61 years of a very happy marriage. Eldyne is survived by her children, and their spouses, as well as 16 grandchildren; Darrin (Laura), Ryan (Marie), Neal (Erica) Vatnsdal; Dale and Marie Erickson, Ted, Aaron (Katie), Ericka Larson; Amanda, Anders (Sara), Amy (Chris), Ben Grafstrom; and Sam (Ashley), Caleb, Ray (Kristen), Jake (Alissa) Erickson. She thoroughly enjoyed her 21 great grandchildren Hailey, Adam, Cole, Cody, Kaia, Kyra, Allyson, Brieta, Ivy, Tommy, Isak, Nora, Ada, Mylo, Tess, Liam, Jack, Soren, Boden Rylee and Ezra. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Janet (Jim) Strandlie. She is preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her siblings and their spouses Mylo and May Anderson, Hazel and Channing Peterson, Bill, Marion and Colleen Anderson, LaMae and Jack Lundbohm, Marian and Merritt Wolf as well as her-in-laws LaVonne and Forrest Ammerman;  several nieces and nephews ; as well as many great friends. Eldyne loved life, she valued family, faith, friends and education. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

Eldyne passed away at LifeCare Medical Center in Roseau on September 26, 2022. She was 94 years young.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eldyne J. Erickson, please visit our floral store.