Mae Eriksen

Mae Elizabeth Eriksen was born on March 29,1925, at home on her family farm near Clarkfield, MN. Her parents are the late Bertha (Slettum) Johnson and Ernest Johnson. She was the fifth of six children and only girl. Mae was baptized and confirmed at St. Petri Lutheran Church by Reverand Martin Lien.

Mae graduated from Clarkfield High School in 1943. After graduation, she worked for The Dayton Company in Downtown Minneapolis as a secretary to Mr. Louis, known as “Louie.” Soon thereafter, Mae moved to Seattle, Washington where she accepted a job as secretary to Warrant Officer Mr. Warner at the 4th Air Force and rode in armed vehicles to deliver paychecks to U.S. military servicemen. While in Seattle, Mae witnessed the first 747 Boeing aircraft takeoff. What an event!

On February 16, 1951, Mae married Robert Franklin Eriksen at Salem English Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. They had one daughter, Linda Marie (Eriksen) Seeley.

In Montevideo, Mae thrived working with the public. This included greeting customers with her warm smile and sunny disposition for 25 years at Zenk Drug and another 24 years at Arneson Snyder Drug. Mae was a constant presence at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, sharing her delicious cakes and cookies and contributing to various circles. She was an avid cook and baker, canning peaches and watermelon pickles in the summer, making spritz, sandbakkels, fudge and divinity for Christmas, and hosting delicious Sunday suppers and family reunions featuring her famous potato salad.

Above all, Mae loved her granddaughters. She was a fun-loving grandma with an anything goes personality. She allowed Melissa and Lisa to make messy mudpies in the backyard and explosive concoctions of canned goods stored for months in the basement. She filled water balloons one-by-one in the sink, engaged in action-packed games of lawn darts, wallpapered dollhouses, clipped coupons for summer band trips, perfected science fair display boards into the wee hours of the morning, cheered at high school swimming invitationals, and basketball and softball games. Mae was always up for whatever card or board games her grandkids wanted to play especially paired with freshly popped buttered popcorn and lots of laughter.

 Mae also embraced her role as a great grandma. She enjoyed teaching tips and tricks while baking, throwing and catching balls in her backyard and kitchen, cozying up to read stories, taking direction as an actor in movies, and hopping in the car to get a treat from Art’s.

Mae was a strong and strong-willed lady who prided her autonomy and lived independently in her home her entire life. She had a hard-working, can-do attitude that helped to accomplish anything she set her mind to.

Mae is survived by her granddaughters, Melissa (Rick Macker) Seeley of New York, NY, and Lisa (Aaron Yoscovitz) Seeley of Santa Clarita, CA; great grandchildren, Owen Macker and Callah Yoscovitz. Mae is proceeded in death by her husband Robert Eriksen, daughter, Linda Seeley, parents, five brothers (Vernon, Earl, Reuben, Roy, and Lindy), and many nieces and nephews. Blessed be her memory.

Mae passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at her home.  A private family service is being held.