Alberta Erickson

Alberta Erickson, 97, of Cumberland, Iowa, died Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Exira Care Center.

Alberta Pearl and her twin brother Albert Merle, were born on May 2, 1925, in a sod house near Colby, Kansas, the daughter of Edmund Jesse and Minnie (Cecil) Merritt.  The family moved to a farm in Edna Township, Cass County, Iowa, when she was two years old.  She attended Mayflower Country School and later Cumberland High School, receiving her teaching certificate her junior year.

On August 2, 1941, she was united in marriage to Don Vernon Erickson in Maryville, Missouri.  To this union five children were born, Dale Lynn, Donald Ray, Rita Jean, Merritt Dean, and Daryl Vernon.

Alberta worked and helped operate the family business, Longview Store, which was located six miles south of Cumberland, for a few years before finding her calling as a caretaker for people in their homes.  Alberta was gifted with a heart to serve others and that she did exceptionally well. 

She was a member of the Happy Homemakers Club.  Alberta enjoyed canning garden produce and freezing sweet corn for the whole family since it was available in abundance!  Playing games with the grandchildren was time well spent, Scrabble being her favorite.  Her family members treasure the beautiful quilts she lovingly crafted and gave them through the years.  She was an excellent cook, making a delicious meal out of what seemed to be nothing; her kids and grandkids always raved about her chicken and noodles.  Alberta traveled coast to coast with different relatives by her side through the years and the trips she took with her sister in a small RV produced lots of stories and laughter.  Her incredible memory served her well and she kept track of everyone in the family.  Alberta was quite naturally the family historian and boy could she tell a good story! 

Alberta was a woman who loved the Lord, and prayed daily for her family and friends.  No matter the situation she always accented the positive, rather than the negatives.  She attended the Mayflower and Lyman Gospel Chapels. 

Alberta is survived by her son, Merritt Dean (Linda) Erickson of Papillion, NE; over 100 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, Nancy M. Erickson of Massena, Nancy K. Erickson of Red Oak, Richard Ryan of Atlantic, and Cindi Erickson of Cedar Rapids; sisters, Geneva May and Lucille Dostart of Oregon; and many nieces, nephews and extended family. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Minnie Merritt; husband, Don; children, Dale Erickson, Donnie Erickson, Rita Ryan and Daryl Erickson; and her siblings and their spouses, Iva (Elmer) Kirkendall, Ina (Delmer) Wilson, Mildred (Bernard) Edwards, Glenn (Elsie) Merritt, Carl Merritt, Albert (Mardelle) Merritt, Larie (Wayne) Erickson, Lewis Fletcher and Dorothy (Lawrence) Quebedeaux.

Open visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m., Friday, March 31^st at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, followed by visitation with the family present from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

A Celebration of Life Memorial service, hosted by the family, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 1^st at the Cumberland Community Center, 200 West 2^nd Street in Cumberland.  A time of food and fellowship will be held immediately following the service. 

A private family burial will be held at the Reno Methodist Cemetery, southwest of Cumberland at a later date.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Alberta’s family and her arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.