Velma Sophie Erickson

Velma Erickson, 97, of Stratford, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2014, at the Stratford Nursing & Rehab Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 9, 2014, at Calvary United Methodist Church, Stratford. Revs. Dot Hasler and Gina Spohnheimer will officiate. Burial will be in the South Marion Cemetery, rural Stratford. Visitation will take place Sunday, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Church. For online obituaries & condolences please visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com

Velma Sophie Peterson was born on June 26, 1916, in Stratford, Iowa, the daughter of Carl Oscar and Anna (Carlstedt) Peterson. She attended school in Stratford.

On October 8, 1934, Velma was united in marriage to Arvid LeRoy Erickson. To this union three children were born: Beverly, Patricia, and Gordon. In addition to raising her family, Velma worked as a farm wife, at several area restaurants, as a caregiver, bus driver, and also served congregate meals as a cook, server, and coordinator. Velma and Arvid farmed southeast of Stratford until moving into town in 1948. Arvid passed away in 1997.

Velma belonged to the Calvary United Methodist Church in Stratford where she served communion, ushered, and coordinated the coffee fellowship. Her hobbies included quilting, gardening, and canning as well as playing cards, dancing, and watching game shows. Velma received the Leeds Volunteer Award and many others. Velma especially enjoyed Sunday family dinners and baking kringla and butterscotch pie with graham cracker crust for family and friends.

Among the survivors are three children, Beverly (Paul) Angell of Tucson, Arizona, Patricia Tuel of Stratford, Iowa, and Gordon (Joyce) Erickson of Littleton, Colorado; nine grandchildren; twenty four great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Arvid Erickson, one brother and sister-in-law, Glenn (Ruth) Peterson, and her great-granddaughter, Jasmine McCubbin.

Memorials may be left to Calvary United Methodist Church in Stratford.

Velma's family would like to thank the caregivers, nurses, and aides, at the Stratford Nursing & Rehab Center for their care of Velma over the last several years.