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Obituary for "Millie" Wilder Erickson
MILDRED MILLIE DAGNY WILDER ERICKSON, 84, passed away after a valiant fight against brain cancer on October 30th, 2015 at Frederic Nursing Rehab while under the care of St. Croix Hospice.
Millie was born on June 6th, 1931 to Herman and Dagny Rohde of rural Shell Lake, Wisconsin. She grew up on a farm along with two brothers and two sisters. Millie graduated from Shell Lake High School in 1949 in a class of 33 students. She married Richard Dick Wilder of Frederic on December 30th, 1950, and over the next several years they had five children, starting off with a set of twins. Not only was she busy raising five kids, but she also found time to work first at the Ben Franklin store in Frederic and then at the Inter-County Leader office. After Dick was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1977, Millie kept on working and took care of him until his death in 1985. In April, 1988, she married Sylvan Erickson of Luck. They were married for 16 years until his death in 2004. While married to Sylvan, she joined and was an active member of the NARFE and American Legion Auxiliary. Singing in the church choir at St. Lukes United Methodist Church was an activity that Millie enjoyed for many years. She was also a top-notch piano player, card player, and bowler. Sewing, crocheting, and making scrapbooks also kept her busy. After Sylvans death, Millie began to travel, taking many bus tours as well as trips with her family. She sometimes wrote special features for the paper about some of her bus tours. Millie continued to work at the Inter-County Leader until 2011; when she retired after 31 years, and doubtless there are many who remember seeing her at the front desk. Retirement afforded Millie the opportunity to engage in another favorite activity trips to the casino. She often took along her Aunt Gladys Fischer and they always had a good time. Above all, Millie was a sweet-natured, kind-hearted lady who loved and was much loved by her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Dagny Rohde; her husband, Dick Wilder; her second husband, Sylvan Erickson; Sylvans daughter, Dawna Hellstern; brother, Vernon Rohde; and two grandchildren, Heather and Jeremiah Wilder.
She is survived by her brother, Erling (Elinore) Rohde of Rice Lake, Wisconsin; Bev (Jim) Cuskey of San Antonio, Texas, Joyce Sutherland of Waukesha, Wisconsin; and sister-in-law, Carol Rohde of Spooner, Wisconsin; five children, Steve Wilder of Lewis, Scott (Phyllis) Wilder of Frederic, Sandra (Mike) Nechvatal of Sheridan, Wyoming, Gerry (Debbie) Wilder of Amery, Jeff (Cindy) Wilder of Zimmerman, MN; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by extended family that she gained upon her marriage to Sylvan Erickson including his children and their families: Tim Erickson, Virginia Ogren, Jon Erickson, Craig Adair, Andrea Erickson, and Sylvan Erickson, Jr.
Funeral services are planned for Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lukes United Methodist Church in Frederic. Visitation will be held at church from 9 to 11:00 a.m. Rev. Arveda "Freddie" Kirk and Rev. Rich Hutchison will be officiating. Music will be provided by Rev. Rich Hutchison, Kathy Hutchison and Kordi Kurkowski as a trio and Milton Johnson.
You are invited to sign an online guestbook at www.rowefh.com . Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic, 715-327-4475.
