Service: Due to COVID-19 precautions, a private family burial will be held Tuesday at the Lands Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hudson, SD.
Bonnie Erickson, age 83, died Saturday, May 9, 2020 at Good Samaritan Society Canton. Due to COVID-19 precautions, a private family burial will be held Tuesday at the Lands Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hudson, SD.
Bonnie was born on September 15, 1936 in Canton, SD to Loraine and Bertha Sandvig. She was baptized and confirmed at Lands Lutheran Church, rural Hudson, SD. After graduating from Augustana Academy in Canton, she attended Augsburg College for 2 years. Bonnie married Jerome Erickson in 1957 at Lands Lutheran Church.
In addition to raising her family, she worked as a church secretary in Minneapolis before moving to Sioux Falls, SD where she worked for Lutheran Social Services placing foster children. She then co-owned and managed the WINDSONG Gallery in Nisswa, MN before retiring and moving back to Canton, SD in 1997.
Bonnie enjoyed reading, baking, cooking, gardening, and singing in the church choir. Bonnie loved her family and cherished time spent with them. She will be remembered for making her Bon Bon Surprise casseroles.
Grateful for sharing her life are her husband of 63 years, Jerome; children, Tim (Kim) Erickson and their children, Matthew and Britta, Eric (Janey) Erickson and their daughter Carly, and Kari (Kevin) Stenerson and their children Ian and Anna; brothers, Edward (Shirley) Sandvig and Alan (Sue) Sandvig; sisters, Helen (Bob) Bergren and Louise (Lanny) Kinnander; along with numerous extended relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant nephew, and nephew Todd Bergren. Memorials may be directed to the St. Joseph Indian School (1301 N Main St. Chamberlain, SD 57325).
Our love and sympathy to Jerome. The love story he and Bonnie created is one we all should strive for. We are quite sure that Monroe and Lolita Stenerson welcome her with a tight hug and a Norwegian handshake in heaven. To Bonnie and Jerome’s family, we wish you nothing but fond memories of the times you had over coffee and more coffee and later with a glass of white wine! Bonnie, you were always humble and hilarious and will be missed by all!
My sincere sympathy to the Sandvig family. I remember Bonnie being very friendly and so beautiful. She had a lovely voice and always greeted me at Lands church when I would go there with my Dad. Your parents and mine were also such good friends and shared many memories together. I’m sorry for the loss of a sister for you all, as I know how hard that is. Cherish the times you had together and enjoy the times you can be together. These Covid times make things so much more difficult to lose a loved one. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
LeAnn Hagen Knudson
Jerome, & family of Bonnie:
You all are in my prayers, for God’s strength in this time of sadness!
Bonnie loved laughing! She was always ready for a good prank, & can remember several that we enjoyed together at the Academy! We had lots of laughs at the last reunion Bonnie attended! We were in choir together, & special good memories of choir tour! Always thought she was the most beautiful gal in our class! Miss you, Bonnie!
To Jerome, Helen, and other family members: I remember Bonnie well from Academy days, and I am now grateful that I was able to see her at a recent reunion. She was a lovely woman. My sincere condolences to you.
To Jerome, Sandvig and Erickson families, my sympathy goes out to all of you. Remembering Bonnie’s mischievous, sparkling, and beautiful brown eyes brings back a flood of happy memories we shared in growing up in the Lands community. During this difficult time may you feel God’s loving arms around you.