Arlys Deanne Erickson

Arlys Deanne (Hasselton) Erickson, 84, of Lake Park, MN, passed away on Sunday, February 13, 2022, in Sunnyside Care Center, Lake Park, MN.

Arlys was born on November 3, 1937, to Elmer and Marie (Halvorson) Hasselton in Crookston, MN. She was raised in Fosston, MN, where she attended school and graduated from Fosston High School in 1955. After her graduation, she was employed at Sessions Drug Store in Fosston until September of 1955. She then moved to Minneapolis, MN, where she worked at Bell Telephone until her marriage. She was united in marriage to Allen Erickson of Gully, MN, on June 23, 1956, at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston, MN.

Arlys and Allen moved to San Angelo, TX, while Allen was serving our country in the United States Air Force until October of 1957. They then moved to Lake Park, MN, which they both decided was one of the best decisions they ever made. They purchased Nelson Drug Store in 1969 and retired together in 2003. Allen passed away on August 10, 2012. Arlys lived in her home until 2019 when she moved briefly to Lincoln Park Assisted Living in Detroit Lakes, MN, before moving to Sunnyside Care Center in Lake Park where she resided until her passing.

Arlys was a “recipe collector extraordinaire” and a wonderful cook.  She could produce a full blown meal for guests at a moment’s notice.  She had many great friends with whom she loved to visit with over coffee or spend the day shopping alongside.  An event that Arlys always looked forward to was the Fosston All School Reunion, which took place every five years. She loved to reconnect with old friends and reminisce.  Arlys was a member of the Peppy Parkers Homemakers Club and a Bluebirds leader.  She was a member of Lake Park Lutheran Church where she was active in Circle, taught Sunday & Bible school, and mailed many a wish to congregants who were celebrating or ill.

Arlys is survived by her children, Deanne (Scott) Anderson of Lake Park, MN and Karen Criss of Grimes, IA; grandchildren, Kelly (Holly) Anderson, Ashley (Brady) Berg, and Maizy Criss; great-grandchildren, Gavin and Tucker Anderson, and Owen and Ella Berg; sister-in-law, Elaine Haugen; and many other loving relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Allen; parents, Elmer and Marie; son, Mark Erickson; and sister, Lois Leikness.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lake Park Area Historical Society or Sunnyside Care Center in Lake Park, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., followed by the prayer service at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 31^st, 2022, at Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 A.M., at Lake Park Lutheran Church, Lake Park, MN. Burial will follow at Lake Park Lutheran Church Cemetery. A livestream of the service will be available on Arlys’ webpage at www.wrightfuneral.com where a guestbook and video tribute may also be found.