Obit: Erickson, Petra (1858 - 1962)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Erickson, Anderson, Walden, Vaastad, Drake, Mauer

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) April 5, 1962

Erickson, Petra (26 August 1858 - 3 April 1962)

Mrs. Petra Erickson, 103, of Neillsville, Clark County’s oldest resident, died Tuesday morning at the home of her niece, Mrs. Russell Drake, following an illness of a few weeks.

Funeral services were held Wednesday evening from the Bergemann Funeral Home, with the Rev. Lloyd Mauer of the Methodist Church in charge.  The body was taken to Kennan today, where services will be held and burial will be made Friday.

The former Petra Anderson Vaastad, Mrs. Erickson came to the United States from her native Norway in 1881, settling first at Argyle. She came to Neillsville in 1947 with her sister, Mrs. Iver Erickson, when they took up residence with the Drakes.  Mrs. Iver Erickson was Mrs. Drake’s mother. 

Until a year or so ago, Mrs. Erickson spent much time crocheting, sewing and reading, for her eyesight remained good.

Mrs. Erickson was born in Vandal, Norway, on August 26, 1858, the daughter of Andrew and Oline Walden Vaastad.  She was married to Martin Erickson in Onalaska in 1883, and lived following the marriage in Melvina.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews.