Clarinda Ann Erickson

November 27, 1929 – September 16, 2021

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Clarinda Ann Erickson (Lanning) passed away peacefully and was taken home to rest in the arms of Jesus, on Thursday September 16, 2021, from complications of pneumonia.  Clarinda was born November 27, 1929, near Sacred Heart, MN, to Agnes and Brador Lanning.  As one of five children, she grew up on a farm near Renville, MN.  Following her high school graduation at age 16, she moved to Minneapolis and was employed by Dayton’s and Northwestern Bell Telephone Company.

Following her marriage to Ferdinand Erickson September 7, 1948, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Mason City, IA, they lived in a trailer home while Ferd worked on road construction.  During that time, Judy and Tom were born.  A new house was built at Orchard Lake, near Lakeville MN, where Beth and Laurel were born and the family lived from 1956 -1969.  Clarinda was a stay-at-home Mom and later worked at Orchard Lake School. In 1969 they purchased and operated the Acorn Lodge Motel in Lakeville.  Upon their retirement in 1974, they and daughters Beth and Laurel moved to Mesa, AZ.  Since Claire was the ultimate hostess and they enjoyed meeting new people, they ran a Bed and Breakfast in their home during the winter months.  Clarinda enjoyed crocheting, needlework, baking, fishing, and golfing with Ferd, entertaining, playing cards and dominoes, traveling in their RV around the country.  Summers were spent in MN visiting lifetime friends and daughter, Judy, and family and Erickson and Lanning relatives.  She traveled to Japan, Jamaica and Norway and was proud of her Norwegian heritage by sharing the traditions with her family.

Following Ferd’s passing in 2000, she lived in Sunland Village Senior Community from 2003-2019.  Son, Tom, and daughter, Laurel, lived with her at different times to provide care and her last two years she lived with daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Dave.

As a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran church since 1974, she participated with ladies in Joy Circle.  Ferd and she were members of Sons of Norway, and in later years she joined card clubs in the Sunland Village.  Clarinda had a passion for watching golf, baseball and the RFD Country Music channel on Saturday nights on TV.   In her 80s she became computer savvy on her tablet doing email, Facebook and video chat to keep up with friends and family near and far! Her four children were her pride and joy along with nine grandchildren, 15 great grands and 2 great, great grands.

Clarinda was preceded in death by husband Ferd Erickson, parents, brother Leroy Lanning, sisters Marcella Reynolds and Idella Abbas, daughter Laurel Will, grandson Logan Will, and several nieces and nephews.

Clarinda is survived by her children: Judy Verplank (Elroy) of Bloomington MN, Tom Erickson of Mesa AZ, Beth Sparks (Dave) of Mesa AZ, and her grandchildren and great grands: Molly English (Dan) Lily and Wyatt, Kristoffer Verplank (Clare) Andrew and Ingrid, Erik Verplank and Caroline, Oskar and Nikolai, and Emily and Jakob, David Sparks (Lauren) Elijah and Declan, Michael Sparks (Ryan) Carter Beth and Ellie , Trevor Will and Odin and Penelope, Camille Will (Jeremy Cherry) and Keegan and Harlow, Tanner Will, sister Ardis Danger (Gene), nieces and nephews, cousins and many cherished friends.

Clarinda was very kind, sweet, and caring and loved by everyone.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Blessed be her memory.