Joan Erickson

Joan Erickson, 91, Grand Forks, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, March 6, 2014 at Valley Memorial Homes Eldercare Center. Joan was born September 4, 1922 in Yorkshire, England, the youngest daughter of Walter and Ellen (Ibbotson) Parkin. She grew up in England during World War II. After graduating from college she taught school in England before offering for overseas missionary work. She was appointed by the English Methodist Church to do educational and evangelistic work in the province of Hunan, Central China, sailing there in March, 1947. In 1950, unable to continue Christian teaching in Communist China, she returned to England and was reassigned to Sierra Leone, West Africa, where she taught in a girl's high school. In 1952 she was married to the Rev. Douglas E. Erickson, a Lutheran Pastor and China Missionary from Grand Forks. Together they continued to serve as missionaries to Chinese people in Malaya and Taiwan, returning to the United States in 1966. In 1970 Joan graduated from UND with a Master's Degree in Education and taught 14 years in the Grand Forks Public Schools. After retirement in 1984 she returned with her husband to Communist China and taught English in a college in Shantung, North China. On returning to the States they trained as volunteers in Altru's Hospice Program and enjoyed many happy years of service. After the death of her husband in 2001, Joan moved to Parkwood Place, a retirement center where she lived for many years. Her life was enriched by the many new friendships made and by the kindness and care of all of the Parkwood Staff. She loved to take long walks in the countryside or in the hallways at Parkwood. Valley Eldercare became Joan's home for the last two years of her life. It was there that she received wonderful care from the staff and formed many new friendships. Joan was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and very active in "Joy", the senior fellowship group. Joan was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and three sisters. She is survived by three sons, Paul (Karla), Zimmerman, MN, Philip (Lynn), Shoreview, MN, and Mark (Elaine), Grand Forks, ND; two daughters, Margit (Mark) Bobman, Unionville, CT, and Ruth (Jack) Muhs, Collierville, TN; and 12 grandchildren. Joan has chosen cremation. A Memorial Service will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 715 24th Ave S. Grand Forks. A reception will be held following the church service. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the start of the service. Interment will be held at a later date in Memorial Park North Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to be sent to St. Mark's Lutheran Church or Altru Hospice Volunteer Program.