Aug. 30, 1911-June 19, 2003

PENDLETON – A celebration of life gathering for Constance “Connie” Erickson will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Peace Lutheran Church, 210 N.W. Ninth, in Pendleton. Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Burns Mortuary, 336 S.W. Dorion, in Pendleton.

Mrs. Erickson, 92, of Pendleton, died Wednesday, June 19, 2003, at her daughter’s home in Newport, Wash.

She was born Aug. 30, 1911, at Ross Township, in Roseau County, Minn., to Edward and Marie Erickson. She and her twin brother were the oldest of eight children. Her Norwegian parents were homesteaders and she was raised on the family farm, which is still in operation. She helped with the chores but was happiest when she rode the horses, even into the spring kitchen.

In 1935, she married Fred I. Erickson at Sheridan, Wyo. The couple moved to Great Falls, Mont., before coming to Umatilla County in 1941 when Mr. Erickson was appointed as the first safety engineer at the Umatilla Army Depot.

In 1947, they moved to Pendleton and opened Fred and Connie’s Ice Cream Shoppe across from the Union Pacific Railroad Depot. In 1953, they received the first Grand Champion Award for the best ice cream in the Northwest. They sold the store in 1959.

Mrs. Erickson was active in the community; she said that volunteerism was in her blood and it came from her community-minded family, particularly her father who was the longest serving (more than 50 years) county commissioner in the state of Minnesota.

When her children were young, she served as a Camp Fire leader, leadership chairman, and was active in the PTA.

She organized the first Umatilla County unit of the American Cancer Society and served as president and crusade chairman for several years on a volunteer basis. She began work with the society on a part-time basis with five counties. By the time she retired in 1976, she was eastern Oregon director and had organized units throughout 10 counties. She came out of retirement twice to train subsequent directors.

She was instrumental in organizing the Christmas Cotillion event that became the all-time single fund-raiser for the Cancer Society for more than 25 years. She continued as a volunteer and president and was appointed American Cancer Society Lifetime Adviser and honorary member of the Cotillion Board of Directors.

Mrs. Erickson was an active member of the Peace Lutheran Church and served as president of the women’s circles and on the board of directors.

She was a member of the Pendleton Women’s Club for more than 50 years, served as president several times, held other offices and served on committees. She was on the Olney Cemetery Research Committee, the committee that established the Umatilla County Historical Society Committee and was a volunteer at the museum.

She was a member of Altrusa from 1958-2003. She served several times as president, was a member of the past president’s club and chaired the committee that furnished the kitchen at the Salvation Army Community Center. She was a volunteer for the American Red Cross.

She was a member of the Pendleton Community Hospital Auxiliary, volunteered in the gift shop and reception desk. She was a member of the hospital board for 11 years and a permanent ex-officio member of the advisory board. She served as officer, committee chairman and volunteered at the Community Bargain Counter that began in 1961.

In 1979, she was recipient of the Soroptimist Club’s first Women-Helping-Women award for her community work and love of organizing.

In 1990, at age 79, the Soroptimist Club again presented her an award for years of community service as a “Woman of Distinction.” During that year she was president of the Umatilla Cancer Board, the Pendleton Woman’s Club and the Pendleton Community Bargain Counter.

She was chosen First Citizen in 1993, the Chamber of Commerce’s Centennial year. She was described as having boundless energy, a winning personality, a coordinator of people’s talents, a leader and continuously giving of herself.

She was dedicated to her family. She loved to fish, camp, spend time in the mountains and entertain guests in her home. She liked to read, work crossword puzzles, work in her garden and play bridge and pinochle.

Survivors include three sisters and two brothers in Minnesota; a son, Vernon K. Erickson of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada; daughters, Myrna J. Coan of Newport, Wash., and Sonja K. Hart of Pendleton; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers and a great-grandson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pendleton Bargain Counter, Peace Lutheran Church, Heritage Station, or the American Cancer Society in Portland, directly or through Burns Mortuary, P.O. Box 489, Pendleton, OR 97801.