Helen M. Erickson, 96, of Marcus, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at the Cherokee Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at Peace Lutheran Church in Marcus, Iowa. Rev. Kevin Roop will officiate. Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, rural Marcus. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2014 at the Earnest – Johnson Funeral Home in Marcus. The family will be present from 5-8 p.m. with a prayer service scheduled at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral on Saturday.

Helen Minnie Erickson was born on November 20, 1917 at Sigel, Illinois, the daughter of Rev. Edward and Magdalene (Schaefer) Wittkopp. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith on December 19, 1917. Helen attended country school at Ulmer, Iowa and Amherst #9 near Marcus. She was confirmed by her father on April 9, 1933 at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Marcus. Helen later graduated from Marcus High School in 1937.

Helen and Lowell H. Erickson were united in marriage by Rev. Wittkopp on May 30, 1943 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Helen was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church until 1984 when she moved to Marcus and became a member of Peace Lutheran Church. Helen taught Sunday School and participated in Ladies’ Aid. She was also a member of the Marcus Tourist Club and the Library Board. Helen also taught a bible study class at Heartland Care Center in Marcus for two and one-half years.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Dennis and Ann Erickson of Garwin, IA, Ronald and JoAnn Erickson of Remsen, Iowa, Kathleen O’Connor of Elgin, IL and Rebecca Erickson of Boulder, CO; grandchildren, Michael (Rachel) Erickson, Steven (Jennifer) Erickson, Amanda (Michael) Cannon, Scott (Christa) Erickson, James (Mary) Erickson, Sara (Anthony) LoCoco; great-grandchildren, Brian (Chelsea), Michelle, Jacob, Lydia, Benjamin, Alyssa, Sean, Ryan, Samuel, Amelia, Mia, Caitlyn, Jaxon; great- great-grandchild, Landen; a sister, Eunice and Eugene Meyer of Algona, IA, a sister-in-law, Lorine Wittkopp of Bay City, Michigan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step-mother, Amanda; husband, Lowell on August 13, 1978; two sisters, Ruth and Sieg Schroeder and Myra Wittkopp; two brothers, Arno and Lola Wittkopp and Otto Wittkopp.

Memorials may be directed to Peace Lutheran Church or Trinity Lutheran Church, Marcus, Iowa.