Lillian Laverne Ericson, 92 years, 9 months and 17 days, passed away at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on February 20, 2009. She had been ill since January 17, 2009. Lillian had a courageous fight with various obstacles that were thrown her way. She was positive and cheerful up to the day before she went to sleep. When her Doctor arrived the day before her passing he asked her Lillian how are you? She replied Youre the expert, you tell me. Her wit and positive attitude never left her.

Lillian was born at home on May 3, 1916 in rural Union County, near Alcester, SD to parents George and Carrie (Stene) Miller. She was the youngest of three girls. Lillians early education was the rural schools of Dodd, Nora, Prospect and Star. She entered Alcester High School where she was active in extra curricular and well as academic activities. She liked English and typing and her least favorite subjects were Algebra and History. Lillian loved choir and orchestra where she was always playing the piano. She said in high school she was a tall, lanky, shy girl who NEVER played hooky.

Lillian was baptized in the Roseni Lutheran Church on June 4, 1916. She later attended the Lutheran Church until she married her husband.

Lillian always liked music and some of her favorite musicians were Jimmie Durante, Guy Lombardo, Wayne King, and the famous Lawrence Welk Orchestra.

After graduating from high school she worked as a nanny for a couple of years and it was during this time that she met William Bill Ericson. They started dating in 1936. In November of 1938, Bill proposed and they were married on December 31, 1938, which was also Bills 40th birthday. They left for Houston, Texas in a new 1938 Dodge. Because it was new they could only go 30 miles per hour for so many miles, therefore, it took them almost 3 days to get to Texas. To this union, four children were born: Karen Mary Lewis, Sharon Yvonne Colson Schwartz, Steven Rodney Ericson, and Keith William Ericson.

After Bill and Lillian had their children they made a joint decision to raise them in the faith of Bills childhood.

Lillian was the organist for the United Church of Christ in Alcester for 35 years and the Hurley Seventh-day Adventist Church for many years. She was also very active in community activities doing knitting, crocheting, and quilting for those in need of warm hats, scarves, mittens and blankets. Lillians will, enthusiasm, and music will be missed by many.

Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two sisters: Eveline and Gladys.

Lillian leaves behind her four children: Karen (Jay) Lewis, Angwin, CA, Sharon (Marlyn) Schwartz, Lincoln, NE, Steve (Bev) Ericson, Chattanooga, TN, and Keith (Paula) Ericson, Castlerock, CO; 10 grandchildren: David Colson, Jeffrey (Lanette) Colson, Susan (Keil) Wilson, Kara (Michael) Smith, Heather Odister, Jason (Gina) Lewis, Jon Lewis, Julie Lewis, Ryan (Jen) Ericson and Tad (Dana) Ericson; 10 great-grandchildren: Jake, Natalie, Libby, and Blake Wilson, Kajsa and Jansen Smith, Vince and Levi Colson and Elena and Amelia Lewis; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and her adopted son and daughter and their children, Neil and Mary Barnes and Jared and Emily, who have been there for Lillian for 30 years. Thank you from the bottoms of our hearts for loving Mom and Daddy as much as we do.

Funeral services will be held at 11AM, Saturday, February 28 at Big Springs Baptist Church, rural Alcester, SD, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation with family present will be Friday from 4PM to 8PM at Wass Funeral Home in Alcester. Memorials may be directed to Big Springs Baptist Church, Hurley Seventh-day Adventist Church or the Alcester United Church of Christ.