Hazel Erickson

Hazel Erickson, age 93, a resident of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at the Pelican Valley Nursing Home in Pelican Rapids.Hazel Jeannette Hanson was born November 6, 1914, in Hillsboro, ND,the daughter of Hilmer and Cora (Hove) Hanson. Hazel moved to Pelican Rapids at age 6 with her family. She worked at the family restaurant and graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1932. Before her marriage to Merlin Rieman on December 17, 1944, she worked at the Blue Bird Caf in Moorhead and Simpsons Bakery in Pelican Rapids. After her marriage and while raising her family, she worked as a waitress at Uptown Caf, B & L Caf, and Cers Caf. Merlin died April 2, 1972. On October 26, 1973 Hazel married Robert Bud Erickson at Trinity Lutheran Church. Bud and Hazel lived on Prairie Lake, near Pelican Rapids, until moving to Mill Pond View Apartments in 1999. On July 11, 2006 Hazel entered the Pelican Valley Nursing Home.Hazel raised four daughters and enjoyed sewing all their clothes. She was a good cook, known for her lefse and donuts. Hazel enjoyed entertaining family and friends, along with hosting picnics, taking walks and crocheting. She will be remembered by her family as a hard worker. Hazel was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she was active in Circle.Hazel is survived by her husband, Bud of Pelican Rapids; four daughters: Karen (Keith) Homan of Pelican Rapids, Bev (Jim) Neuharth of Mendota Heights, MN, Phyllis (Roger) Bakken of Oakdale, MN, and Connie (Larry) Schyma of Cottage Grove, MN; one sister, Theone Pederson of Battle Lake, MN; 13 grandchildren: Brad (Julie) Homan, Blake (Jessica) Homan, Nancy (Jeff) Litvack, Steven Neuharth, Michael Neuharth, Peter Neuharth, Sarah Neuharth, Greg (Cathy) Bakken, Jeff (Kirsten) Bakken, Darin Bakken, Angie Schyma, Theresa Schyma and Dan Schyma; 10 great-grandchildren: Emily and Alec Homan, Rachel and Gavin Homan, Oliver and Norah Litvack, Jackson Neuharth, Devon Bakken,Jack and Charlie Bakken; and many nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merlin Rieman; two sisters: Stella Lillie and Dorothy Sis Nelson; two brothers: Harvey Hanson and Orlin Bud Hanson.Blessed be the memory of Hazel Erickson.