Obituary of Vivian Erickson

Vivian Lorene Erickson, 86, of Cambridge passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at the Cambridge Medical Center. She was born in Lily, South Dakota on May 22, 1922, the middle child of nine children to Henry and Maude (Gresham) Fisher. Her mother passed away when Vivian was 13 years old. In later years Vivian realized how much she appreciated how her father guided the family. They always sat down to eat as a family the same time every day and always attended Sunday school. Vivian graduated from Delavan, Illinois High School in May 1939. During her high school years she worked as a waitress at the restaurant that was owned by the parents of her husband-to-be Ernie Leesman. Ernie and Vivian were married on August 9, 1940. He was drafted when Vivian was five months pregnant and their son Gary was born on March 5, 1943. While serving in World War II, Ernie was killed by a sniper while crossing the Rhine River into Luxembourg, Germany on April 12, 1945, the same day that President Roosevelt passed away. Vivian found it very hard when other men were returning home from the war and decided to move to Cambridge where her aunt and uncle lived. Vivian worked at the Arlington Hotel and the Lewis Department Store. She also worked for 21 years and the Cambridge Memorial Hospital as a receptionist and later as head of admitting and the business office. In November 1947 Vivian married Lorne Erickson and they had two children, daughter Vicki and son Kory. Lorne passed away doing what he liked best, fishing in Canada at Crow Lake. Vivian and Lorne enjoyed 31 years together. Vivian enjoyed reading, crocheting, embroidery, e-mailing and playing games on the computer. She also had a knitting machine and made several outfits for her grandchildren. Her younger days she played the clarinet and sang in choirs. She vacationed in McAllen, Texas. She was active in the Cambridge Christian Women's Club and did much of the telephoning for the meetings. She moved to Mill Ridge Commons in October 1998. She especially enjoyed her five grandchildren, five great granddaughters and two great grandsons. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Ernie and Lorne, sister Madeline Glassey, brothers Merle Fisher, Roger Fisher and Milton Fisher. Vivian is survived by her children Gary and wife Linda Erickson of Sarasota, FL, Vicki and husband Phil Anderson of Woodbury, Kory and wife Marie Erickson of Cambridge, 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, brothers Cecil Fisher of Illinois, Ray and wife Beebee Fisher of Oregon, sisters Maxine and husband Eddie Both of California and Audrey and husband Duane Zampedri of California.