Helen M. Erickson, the daughter of Frank Mather and Ila Ruth (Reynolds) Robinson, was born February 22, 1921, on a farm near Lewis, IA. Helen died May 22, 2021, at the Griswold Care Center in Griswold, IA, at the age of 100 years and 3 months.
Helen attended school in Lewis and graduated from Lewis High School. After graduating, she attended Normal Training and then taught school in a one room schoolhouse. On August 6, 1941, she was united in marriage to Carroll H. Erickson at Plattsmouth, NE. Two children were born to this union, Sharroll and Janice. When Carroll entered the Army during WWII, Helen moved with him to Alabama, South Carolina, and Mississippi. After Carroll was discharged, they moved to Wilmington, DE, before returning to Griswold where they had purchased the Nash-Rambler Auto Agency.
Helen returned to teaching and taught in one room schoolhouses east and west of Griswold. She then became a fifth-grade teacher in Griswold. While teaching, Helen continuously worked on her own education. She graduated from Peru State College in 1970, with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She continued to teach full time until 1981 and substitute taught for several more years. Helen continued to live in Griswold after her retirement. She maintained her own home until several years ago, when she moved to the Griswold Assisted Living.
Helen was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Griswold where she had been active in the Women’s Circle. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge and the Retired Teachers Association and had served as secretary for both organizations. Helen never stopped learning and was an avid reader. She enjoyed sewing and donating her time to Meals on Wheels and the Lord’s Cupboard.
Helen is preceded in death by her husband Carroll; her son-in-law Roger; her parents; her sisters, Norma Jean Burnham, and Phyllis Harper; her brothers, John, and Boyd Robinson; her sister-in-law, Dorothea Robinson; and her brothers-in-law, Melvin Feigenbutz and Raymond Burnham.
She is survived by her daughters, Sharroll Bernahl and husband Wayne of Fort Morgan, CO, and Janice Corley of Maryville, MO; her grandchildren: Mark Bernahl and wife Steph Barss of Bend, OR, Lynn Blachly and husband Scott of Fort Morgan, CO, Erik Corley and wife Mary of Creve Coeur, MO, Robin Walker and husband Jason of Smithville, MO, and Patricia Phillips and husband Chuck of Raymore, MO; her great grandchildren: Quincy and Nash Bernahl, Joseph and Isaac Ward, Kara Blachly, Emily, Patrick, and William Corley, Samantha, Caroline, and Juliana Walker, and Charles Phillips III and Hope Phillips; her sister Ruth Ann Feigenbutz; her brother Leo Robinson and wife Arlene; and her brother-in-law Joseph Harper. Helen is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Faith Lutheran Church in Griswold, Iowa. Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery at Lewis. Rieken Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family with arrangements.
