Linnea Mae Erickson, age 92, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at Three Lakes Care Center in Northfield, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents, Soloman and Martha (Larson) Erickson, her sister, Virginia Nelson, her brother-in-law, John Nelson, and her high school sweetheart and beloved husband of 68 years, Kenneth “Ken” Erickson. Linnea leaves behind her children, Tim (Dinamarie) Erickson, Connie (Bob) Storck, Jill (Tim) Mahr, and Ken J. Erickson, along with her grandchildren, Nathan, Katy, Jenna, Heron, Bailey, Emma, and Ava, and her English Springer Spaniel, Sophia.

Linnea was born on April 1, 1932, in Duluth, Minnesota. She grew up in Duluth and graduated from Denfeld High School in 1950. In 1953, she received her RN degree from St. Luke’s Hospital Nursing Program.

Linnea first met Ken when she was seated right in front of him in the 7th grade. They fell in love in high school and were married at Temple Baptist Church in Duluth on October 9, 1953. After Ken finished his service in the Air Force, they returned to Duluth to start a family. Linnea stayed home to raise their children for ten years, after which she returned to nursing full-time. A committed medical professional who loved being a nurse, Linnea retired in 2000 as Head Nurse of Day Surgery at St. Luke’s Hospital. Even after retirement, she continued nursing at St. Luke’s on-call.

Linnea was a generous woman who gave freely of her talents. She would share her music by playing piano at nursing home church services. At age 50, she took up sewing, and used her skill to create clothing for her family and gifts for friends and children at the hospital. The Erickson family enjoyed camping, and Ken and Linnea spent over 30 summers in their trailer on the shore of Lake Superior in Grand Marais.

A devout woman of God, Linnea and Ken were founding members of Mount of Olives Baptist Church, where she continued to give of her musical gifts by playing piano and directing children’s handbell choirs. In 2013, Ken and Linnea moved to Northfield to be closer to their family. Linnea played in FiftyNorth Chimes and helped her daughter Jill with the bell and chime choirs at Bethel Lutheran Church. And, of course, she continued to sew.

A celebration of Linnea’s life will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., at Bethel Lutheran Church, Pastor Ruud presiding. Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at Northfield Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation or FiftyNorth Chimes at FiftyNorth Senior Center.

Arrangements are with the Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.

www.northfieldfuneral.com

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