Mrs. Mary Erickson

Mary Louise Erickson 86, of Laramie, WY., died Thursday, January 5, 2012 peacefully at her home with her loving daughters at her bedside. She was born 10-10-1925 in Spearfish, S.D. to Merritt and Winifred Henderson. She grew up in Osage, WY. She graduated from Newcastle High School in 1943. She received her Normal Training to become a teacher. She taught fifth and sixth grade in Osage.

In 1947 she married David Erickson from Horton, WY. They made their home in Newcastle where they raised their family.

When her children became older, she started to work outside the home. She worked at the Weston County Manor as a dietary aide and then a Certified Nursing Assistant for 15 years. She would have worked longer since she loved working with the residents at the manor but her health required her to retire at 63. Mary was very active. Her husband said to her many times that it was hard for her to just sit at home. She was involved for 50 years in the Ladies VFW Auxiliary 2516, a hospital Gray Lady, member of the Artful Gals-Homemakers Club, volunteered at the BREAD office, active member of The First United Methodist Church of Newcastle and volunteered at the visitors center for the Chamber of Commerce.

She was an avid bowler until the bowling alley closed in Newcastle, she even attended national conventions. She enjoyed driving to Deadwood to try her luck.
She and her husband, David enjoyed traveling. Their trips were all over the United States. Many were to attend her husband's Company "M" army reunion events. She even hosted a Company "M" reunion in Newcastle.

She moved to Laramie in 2007 to be closer to her daughters. She continued to volunteer in Laramie at the First United Methodist and was an active member of the Homemakers Club. She lived at Ivinson Home Ladies which became her second home. She loved all the ladies and staff like family. She especially loved all the social events they offered; never missing a bingo game. Her daughters will always cherish her time at Ivinson Home for Ladies. She lived there until December 22, 2011 when she moved in with her daughters.

She is survived by her daughters Lou Ann and Lynn Erickson of Laramie; sister Della Mae and brother-in-law Don Cunningham of Rapid City, S.D.; niece Donna and husband Steve Kocer of Chamberlain, S.D.; nephew Doug and wife Carol Cunningham of Rapid City S.D. and niece Darlene Goehring of Rapid City S.D.; two great nieces and three great nephews and four great great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband David, infant daughter Linda, son Larry.

Funeral services will be Monday, January 9, 2012 at 10:00 am at the First United Methodist Church in Newcastle, WY. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery under direction of Worden Funeral Directors of Newcastle.

Memorials may be sent to Ivinson Home for Ladies, c/o Debi Okers, 2017 E Grand Avenue, Laramie, WY 82070.

To send condolences or sign the online guest book, go to http://www.wordenfuneraldirectors.com/

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