BOONE, Iowa—Born July 26, 1934, to Ferne (Hurley) Rosene and Eldon Rosene. She started school in a small country school in Dallas County, Iowa. In 1941, the Rosene family moved to a farm two miles West of Luther, Iowa. It was the second oldest brick house in Boone County.
Marilyn graduated from Luther High School in 1952. She participated in basketball, softball, music productions, and youth group at the Luther Methodist Church. She was active in 4-H and was a model for the new 4-H uniform.
She graduated from Iowa State Teachers College and taught at Roland, United Community, and Madrid schools.
In June of 1955, she married Darrell Erickson in the Luther Methodist Church. They were married for 67 years. Darrell passed away in 2022. They had three children: Denny, Dale, and Patricia. Dale died in a farm accident in 1967. Patricia passed away from cancer in 2022.
Marilyn loved to go camping and swimming. She and Darrell traveled to all 50 states, staying at private, county, state, and federal campgrounds. Her favorite place was Northern Minnesota in the pine trees. They had many adventures traveling on the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee rivers in their 18-foot Glastron ski boat. They also enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, water skiing, and motorcycling. They rode mules to the bottom of the Grand Canyon when Marilyn turned 65.
Marilyn was active in the United Methodist Church as a Sunday school teacher and was a member of the choir for many years. She was a 60-year member of Chapter ID PEO. She was involved in the Boone County Farm Bureau and was a membership chairperson.
After raising her children, Marilyn worked at ABI in Napier, Iowa, for 19 years.
In 1998, Marilyn and Darrell moved from their farm East of Luther to Marilyn’s homeplace West of Luther. Darrell and Marilyn enjoyed spending 30 winters in Harlingen, TX, where they participated in many activities and formed many great friendships.
Marilyn enjoyed having family and friends over for meals on the patio. She also would take “the old ladies” out for a road trip and lunch.
Marilyn lived a wonderful life filled with fun, adventure, and great memories.
She is survived by her son, Denny Erickson and his wife Pami; grandchildren: Tanya Hillman and her husband Matt, Crystal Erickson, Eric Knippel, Dan Knippel and his wife Kayla; step-grandchildren: Cecily Culbertson and her husband Gene, Thaddaeus Cox and his wife Krystal, Jameson Cox and his fiancée Aline, Chelsey Miller and her husband Kalin; great-grandchildren: Theo Hillman, Claire Hillman, and Conner Knippel; and great-step grandchildren: Chiyo Culbertson, Kimiko Culbertson, and Aidan Cox.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Darrell; parents, Ferne and Eldon Rosene; brother, Bob Rosene; son, Dale Erickson; daughter, Patricia Erickson; one sister-in-law, one brother-in-law, and three nephews.
Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church in Boone, with Pastor Adam Gordon officiating. A private family burial will take place at a later date.
Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church in Boone, Iowa, or the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone, Iowa.
The Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, Iowa is assisting the family with these arrangements.
Marilyn Erickson, 90, Boone, Iowa
