Phyllis D. Erickson

Phyllis D. Erickson, age 98, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at the Viborg Pioneer Memorial Hospital, after a brief illness with family at her side.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 15, at 1:30 p.m, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, rural Irene, South Dakota.  Family will be present to greet friends starting at noon.  Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Irene, South Dakota.

Phyllis was born May 14, 1925, and was the only child born to Gilmor and Ella (Todt) Kjeldseth.  She grew up on the family farm homesteaded by her great-grandfather in 1887 and attended Cornbelt grade school and graduated from Irene High School in 1942.  Phyllis married Monroe Erickson in 1946, and they continued to live on her family farm, conducting a general farming operation for approximately 42 years.  In 1999, Phyllis and Monroe moved to an apartment in Yankton, South Dakota, where she continued to live for 18 years before moving to Assisted Living at the Pioneer Memorial Inn, Viborg, South Dakota in 2017.  Phyllis resided at the Inn until her death.

Phyllis enjoyed dancing with Monroe, socializing at the Yankton VFW, checking out flea markets, camping and attending the Yankton Senior Citizens Center.  She also had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing.  In her later years at the Inn, Phyllis enjoyed Bingo and playing cards at the Inn.  She liked to stay active.

Phyllis is survived by her only child, Jean (Steve) Brockmueller of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; three grandchildren: Kari (Austin) Lucas of Byron, Minnesota; Kyle (Jamie) Brockmueller of Renner, South Dakota; and Kevin (Kyndra) Brockmueller of Renner, South Dakota; seven great-grandchildren: Elin, Adley and Harper Lucas of Byron, MN; Kaelyn and Koy Brockmueller of Renner, South Dakota; and Eva and Quinn Brockmueller of Renner, South Dakota. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gilmor and Ella Kjeldseth, and her husband, Monroe Erickson.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Pioneer Memorial Inn for the wonderful care she received during her near seven-year stay at the Inn.

In lieu of flowers, the family would request memorials be directed to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, rural Irene.