Mavis Elaine Erickson

Mavis Erickson, 89, Pelican Rapids, MN, died Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Essentia Health-Oak Crossing in Detroit Lakes, MN under the excellent care of their staff and the Hospice of the Red River Valley. Mavis Elaine was born February 22, 1931 in Barnesville, MN, to Oscar and Minnie (Hanson) Ishaug. They lived near Barnesville for the first 5 years of her life. She was baptized and confirmed at North Immanuel Lutheran Church near Pelican Rapids. Her mother taught her at home in their native Norwegian language until she attended rural School District 48 2nd through 8th grade and graduated Co-Salutatorian at Pelican Rapids High School. At the age of 17, while still a senior in high school, Mavis started working at J.P. Wallace State Bank in Pelican Rapids. On November 5, 1949, Mavis married Orville Erickson at North Immanuel Lutheran Church. Mavis took 3 years off from the bank to spend with their sons, Gregory and David. She returned and worked at the bank through multiple ownership transitions, the last Wells Fargo, until she was 70 years of age. Many of you may have fond memories of her behind the counter at the bank. The past eight years she has resided at Riverfront Manor in Pelican Rapids and Oak Crossing. Mavis was the treasurer of Lida Township for over 20 years, member of the Northwest Cemetery Board, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, where she participated in the choir and enjoyed bible studies. She was an “original member of the Melodears”. She loved music, playing piano, which she learned by ear, and singing with her family and friends. She enjoyed performing as a harmonic trio with her cousin, Dalyce, and sister, Arlene. She enjoyed going to jam sessions at Al Siegle’s lake home on Pelican Lake. Orville and Mavis enjoyed time dancing at Perry’s with friends. She loved to play cards and enjoyed time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She knew her way around a kitchen, teaching her granddaughters many of her famous recipes, including her dumpling soup, brownies, apple dessert and any fish or wild game her family brought home. Mavis loved history. After retirement she enjoyed traveling, especially to the Holy Land, Egypt, and Europe to see all the locations she had only read about. She had several trips in the United States from California to Washington D.C., and numerous other locations, including Arizona to visit friends. Mavis was a Jeopardy scholar and if she had the opportunity to meet Alex Trebek, no doubt would have had the longest run of wins. Mavis was a kind soul and lived her life to help and enjoy others. She is survived by her two sons: Gregory and David (Bev) Erickson, both of Pelican Rapids, MN; seven grandchildren: Jim Erickson, Anne (Jeff) Peterson, Ross (Lisa) Erickson, Lacey (Kyle) Beckstead, Britton Erickson, Samantha (Mark) Milbeck, and Joseph (Ali) Erickson; nine great-grandchildren: Hailey, Grace, and Megan Peterson, Kazlyn Erickson, Henry and Ruby Milbeck, Jason and Leo Beckstead, and Luke Erickson; sister: Arlene Delp; sisters-in-law: Loretta Ishaug and Betty Erickson; numerous nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband: Orville, parents: Oscar and Minnie, two brothers: Marvin and Clayton; sisters-in-law: Evelyn (Ronald) Grahn and Florence (Lloyd) Halbakken; and brother-in-law Arnold Erickson. Walk-Through Visitation: Sunday, January 3, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, MN. (Facemasks are required) Private Family Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 4, 2021, at Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. There will be a live stream of Mavis’ Celebration of Life Service, go to Mavis’ obituary page on our website, and scroll down to the bottom and the service will begin at 11:00 a.m. The funeral service will also be uploaded at a later time to our website if you are unable to attend the live stream. Clergy: Allen Westby, S.A.M. Interment: Northwest Cemetery, Rural Pelican Rapids, Minnesota Please keep the Erickson family in your thoughts and prayers. Mavis's Memorial Folder