Joyce Headington Erickson

Wednesday, April 5, 2017 4:43 pm

Joyce Headington Erickson, 95, of Harmony, Minn., formerly of Burr Oak, died Saturday, April 1, 2017, at the Gundersen Harmony Care Center, in Harmony, Minn. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, at Burr Oak United Methodist Church in Burr Oak, with Pastor Linda Thompson officiating. Organist was Merilee Hein. Soloist was Makayla Minnehan (“Just as I am” and “In the Garden”). Casket bearers were Andrew Craig, Lee Craig, Ryan Minnehan, Sean Minnehan, Patrick Minnehan and Makayla Minnehan. Interment was at Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home.

Joyce Marilyn (Smith) Headington Erickson was born March 28, 1922, the daughter of Arthur and Genevra (Cox) Smith, in Burr Oak Township, Winneshiek County. She attended grade school at Burr Oak and also high school through the 11th grade. When the high school closed, she finished high school graduating from Canton High School in 1939. She attended Luther College for one year and then was employed by the Winneshiek County ASCS. She was united in marriage to Wayne Robert Headington Oct. 12, 1946, at the family home in rural Burr Oak. To this union, two daughters were born: Sheila and Shari. They farmed the Burr Oak farm until her husband died Oct. 27, 1969. She then sold the farm and moved into Burr Oak. She worked at the Burr Oak Store and for many years at Elaine’s Clothing Store in Decorah. She married Hilman Erickson May 23, 1992, at the Methodist Church in Lenora, Minn. She and Hilman lived in Harmony until his death Jan. 17, 2002. After his death, she moved to Heritage Grove (Clara House) in Harmony until entering the Harmony Nursing Home in December 2014. Joyce played organ at the Burr Oak United Methodist Church for 50 years, playing for many weddings and funerals. She also enjoyed gardening, flower gardening, embroidery, playing cards, traveling and collecting bells and cardinals.

Joyce is survived by her two daughters, Sheila (Norman) Craig, Preston, Minn., and Shari (Michael) Minnehan, Churdan. She also is survived by six grandchildren: Andrew (Tara) Craig, Houston, Minn.; Lee (Teresa) Craig, Elk River, Minn.; Ryan (Sheena) Minnehan, Churdan; Sean (Natalie) Minnehan, Carroll,; Patrick (Whitney) Minnehan, Churdan; and Makayla (fiancé Austin Sparr) Minnehan, Ames; eight great-grandchildren: Trayton and Aaralyn Minnehan; Peyton, Emmett and Khloe Minnehan; Lillian Minnehan; Ryland and Oren Craig; two sisters-in-law, Vesta Hicks, Sandstone, Minn. and Audrey Wohlsdorf, Postville; along with many Headington nieces and nephews.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Genevra (Cox) Smith; two husbands: Wayne Headington and Hilman Erickson.