Crookston - Ellen "Nellie" Erickson, 74, died Wednesday, September 24, 1997 at the Villa St. Vincent Nursing Home in Crookston.
Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, September 29 at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Crookston. Interment was in the Calvary Cemetery at Crookston. The Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Ellen Cecelia "Nellie" Erickson was born September 13, 1923 at Greenbush, the daughter of Manley and Mary (Walsh) Millard. Nellie bagan her education at the Greenbush Country School. Later she moved to Crookston with her family. She attended the Cathedral School graduating in 1942. In 1945 she graduated from the Sisters of St. Joseph's School of Nursing.
On August 19, 1948 Nellie was united in marriage to James W. Erickson at Crookston. In 1972, she graduated from the Grand Forks School of Anesthesia. Nellie worked in Crookston hospitals and then spent a few years working at the McDowell Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. From 1972 to 1980 she worked at the Riverview Hospital in Crookston as a CRNA. She then worked as a freelance anesthetist in several northern Minnesota communities including Ada, Thief River Falls, Red Lake Falls and Crookston. Nellie retired in 1987. Her husband Jim died in March of 1997.
Nellie was a member of the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception parish, and served on the parish council, ladies aid circle and was involved with the Befriender program. She also belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary.
Nellie is survived by two daughters, Sharon (Jon) Hofer of Tucson, AZ and Kathleen (Dan) Holen of Baudette; four sons, James A. (Linda) Erickson of Bemidji, Gerald (Aida) Erickson of Atlanta, GA, Jack (Annette) Erickson of Crookston and Robert (Noreen) Erickson of Hendrum; sixteen grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Manley Millard of Atlanta, GA; one sister-in-law, Lorraine Millard of Crookston; one brother-in-law, Norman Caillier of Crookston; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; one sister, Merry Estelle Caillier and one brother, Charles Millard.