Ruth Margaret Erickson
June 14, 1916 – June 17, 2013
Ruth Margaret Erickson, passed away on Monday, June 17, 2013 at her home on Bainbridge Island, Washington. She was born on June 14, 1916 and was 97 years of age. Ruth, the daughter of Norwegian immigrants, was raised in a small farming community in South Dakota. There were nine family members who shared all the joys and hardships of a rural life. The family endured the great depression and the subsequent dust bowl. They were able to survive because they could grow their own food. They worked together to eke out a living. The children attended a one-room school walking one and a half miles each way except in bad weather when they rode in a horse drawn wagon or sled. Ruth loved school and was an avid reader and read everything she could get her hands on. At home she learned to sew and to cook and bake bread.
In 1934 Ruth graduated from Sinai High School. She was an excellent student and always curious about the world around her.
In 1936 Ruth traveled by train with her cousin Helen Gerald to Seattle, WA, to marry Otto Erickson. She had never traveled more than 60 miles from home before. Ruth and Otto married June 20, 1936. She became a member of the family from the very start. In time they welcomed a son, Jerry, born in 1938 and then a daughter, Roberta, born in 1943. Happy memories include camping trips to Salmon La Sac and Young’s River enjoying hiking, fishing and berry picking. Gathering clams and catching crab were the pursuits at Clayton Beach near Bellingham, WA. Ruth loved the beauty of nature and delighted in gardening raising beautiful flowers and healthy vegetables.
In 1954 Ruth and Otto built their dream home at Edmonds, WA. The home had a panoramic view of Puget Sound. Many happy hours were spent landscaping their home including colorful flowers and luscious berries. They welcomed family for holiday celebrations and family reunions. Otto died in 1991. Ruth moved to Bainbridge Island, WA, in 1994. She was fortunate to have her own apartment on the property where her son Jerry and his wife Patti live.
Ruth had many talents. She was an excellent cook and baker. One of the traditions in the family was to have a “made from scratch” angel food cake for a birthday treat. She made the absolutely delicious Norwegian flatbread lefse by the dozens to serve with holiday meals. She was a skilled seamstress. She loved sewing for others, especially for special occasions. She also knitted lovely sweaters and afghans. She loved quilting and joined the Rachel Circle at Bethany Lutheran Church. Many hundreds of quilts were made and sent to Lutheran World Relief for distribution to those in need.
Ruth liked reading about real people. She was also interested in increasing her knowledge about ways to keep healthy and strong. She loved games and her favorites were Scrabble, Som R Set, Skip Bo and Rummikub. Many an hour was passed working the newspaper crossword puzzles. She felt it helped to stay sharp.
She believed in the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” She was a loving, giving and caring person. She lived a remarkable life that almost spanned a century. She will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her children; Jerry Erickson (Patti) of Bainbridge Island, WA, Roberta Divine (Ted) of Richland, WA, brother George Evenson of Camrose, Alberta, Canada, grandchildren: Tim and Brianna Divine of Seattle, WA, Rachel Divine of Shoreline, WA, Michelle Toussaint (David) of Issaquah, WA, Kristopher Erickson (Ana) of Lynnwood, WA, Mark Rosenberg (Sheila) of McKinney, Texas, Rocky Rosenberg of Kingston, WA, greatgrandchildren: Josh Thompson of Bainbridge Island, WA, Levi and Nathan Rosenberg of Kingston, WA, Triston Toussaint of Issaquah, WA, Sofia and Isabela Erickson of Lynnwood, WA and Sean and Sara Haresnape of McKinney, TX. She also leaves behind her beloved nieces and nephews and her dear caregiver Michiko Sackett who cared for her in her last days. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Bertha Evenson, her husband Otto Erickson, brothers Ernest and Herald Evenson, and sisters Edna Evenson Barkley, Hazel Evenson and Esther Negstad.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Memorial Service on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Bethany Lutheran Church on Bainbridge Island. Inurnment will be private. Memorial contributions can be made to the Hospice of Kitsap County, 10356 Silverdale Way NW, Silverdale, WA 98383 or Lutheran World Relief, 700 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.
Please sign the online Guest Book for the family at: www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.
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