Betty Erickson

Betty Erickson, age 91, of Granite Falls passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2024 at HomeFront First in Montevideo. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Granite Falls Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held Friday, December 27, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Wing-Bain Funeral Home in Granite Falls, with a Prayer Service at 6:30. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hillcrest Cemetery Fund.

Betty Lou (Spies) Erickson was born on June 8, 1933 in Sandborn County, Woonsocket, South Dakota. She was the daughter of Robert Henry Spies and Elizabeth Alice (Johanson) Spies. Due to the drought and depression, her family moved to Stony Run Township, Minnesota when she was 1 ½ years old. At age 3, her parents moved north of Granite Falls to reestablish farming. She attended country school at District 26 until the school closed her 6th grade year. She continued her education at Granite Falls Public School and graduated with a high school diploma on May 29, 1952. She was Confirmed on November 19, 1953 and Baptized on November 22, 1953 at Granite Falls Lutheran Church. 

On January 23, 1954, Betty was united in marriage to Robert Eugene Erickson at the Granite Falls Lutheran Church. Betty’s whole life revolved around her family and she loved to host everyone at her house. She enjoyed working alongside her husband on the farm and was passionate about baking, sewing, quilting, and gardening. Betty loved spending time at their lake home on Lake Scandi, where she and Bob would fish, host family and friends, and enjoy time together. Betty also liked to travel. She was a member of the Granite Falls Lutheran Church, American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, Homemaker’s Club, neighborhood Birthday Club, Red Hats Society, and was a Minnesota Falls 4-H Club leader.

She is survived by her 2 children: Wesley (Susan) Erickson of Granite Falls and Carol (Greg) Kostka of Medora, ND. Nine grandchildren: Scott (Lorie) Hall, Steven (Wendy) Hall, Shawn (Chelsey) Olsen, Marlene (Jason) Kubasch, James (Melissa) Erickson, Carla (Jesse) Olson, Grant (April) Agather, Brock (Eli) Agather, Jackson (Ashley) Agather. 19 Great Grandchildren: Daniel Hall, Connor (Rachel) Zulkosky, Greta, Cadence & Haley Hall, Layla & Hunter Olsen and baby Olsen due in 2025, Vanessa, Trent, Bryce & Jerrett Olson, Kipton, Jada & Cora Erickson, Brynn & Cailyn Greisen, Adalyn & Kinsley Agather, and Violet Agather. One brother, Robert Spies, Jr. Three sisters: Bonnie Erickson, Marie (Richard) Crone, Ann Lies, a brother-in-law Myron Erickson, and sister-in-law, D'Ete Spies.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Elizabeth Spies, her husband, Robert Erickson, her in-laws: Edward and Cora Erickson, her daughter, Karen Erickson, her brother, Dale Spies, her brother & sister–in laws: Lee Lies, Gordon and Gretchen Erickson, Donald Erickson, Vernon and Theresa Erickson, and Eleanor Erickson. 

Blessed be her memory.