Karen Erickson was born on April 10, 1936, in Jackson, Minnesota to Edwin H. Dahl and Florence Dahl (Felkey). The eldest of three sisters, she grew up alongside Ruth (Lacasse) and Barbara (Cunningham) on Bluff Avenue just up the hill from the Dairy Queen.

Karen's early years were marked by the quiet simplicity of smalltown life, though the world around her was rapidly changing. Her father was called to service in the Navy during World War II. When she was young Karen took on a leadership spirit that became a hallmark of her character.

This independence was evident from an early age; at just 3 or 4 years old, she decided to visit her grandfather, Jens Dahl, who lived across town atop Thomas Hill. Despite the daunting journey, she managed to cross Highway 71, Main Street, the Des Moines River bridge, and halfway up the hill before being found—a testament to her determination and spunk.

Karen's tenacity continued throughout her life. She graduated from Jackson High School in 1954 and pursued nursing at Hamline University in Saint Paul. It was there, while walking down University Avenue, that she met Thomas Erickson of Saint Paul's Frogtown.

Their love story began with a whistle, and they were married in 1957 at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Together, they built a life centered around family, welcoming their first three children, Kristin (1958), Lisa (1959), and Greg (1960), while living in Vadnais Heights.

Karen balanced her nursing career with her role as a mother, while Tom initially worked as a dining car chef on the Northern Pacific Railway. In 1965, the family moved to Hinckley, Minnesota, where Tom became the chef at Cassidy's Gold Pines, and Karen worked at the hospital in Sandstone. A few years later, seeking new opportunities, the family moved to Jackson, where they ran the "Erickson's Three Fountains" restaurant, a beloved local spot, for three years.

In 1972, as the restaurant lease ended and the family grew with the arrival of their fourth child, Karin, Tom shifted his business to the Mayflower Cafe downtown. During these years in Jackson, Karen was the anchor of the family-our rock, providing stability and love. She was an adventurous cook, always involving her children in the kitchen, turning everyday meals into cherished family moments.

In later years the family focus turned to "The Lake" where they bought a cabin and moved to McClellands beach, of Spirit Lake. Her sisters followed buying cabins just steps away. Marriages and grandchildren followed, and the celebrations were often weekly during this summer with classic lake fare (burgers, brats, ribs along with all the classic sides). Eventually they moved to the lake permanently.

Karen passed away peacefully at The Good Samaritan Society in Jackson on October 25th, 2024

Karen is survived by her husband of 67 years, Tom Erickson; her 4 children: Kristin (Rick) Tufvesson of Santa Barbara, CA, Lisa (David) Ringkob of Alpha, Greg (Susan) Erickson of Austin, TX, and Karin (Keith) Eggink of Jackson; sister: Barbara Cunningham of Plymouth; grandchildren: Issac (Hye Soo) Tufvesson, Lexi (Sean) Ewaldt, Seth (Emily) Tufvesson, Maggie Tufvesson, Nathan (Jim) Lara, Alex (Emily) Tufvesson, Tess (Nicholas) Held, Luke (Lauren) Erickson, Mariah Erickson, Jackson (Faith) Ringkob, Matt (Brooklyn) Ringkob, Dan Eggink, Quinn (Morgan) Eggink, Kelsey (Noah) Gullikson; great grandchildren: Liam Erickson, Aurora Erickson, Bella Ewaldt, Beau Held, Xander Held, Brittany Tufvesson, Braeden Tufvesson, Brielle Tufvesson, Abigail Tufvesson, Abraham Tufvesson, Cora Eggink, Arthur Eggink, and Miles Gullikson.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents Ed and Florence (Felkey) Dahl and her sister, Ruth Lacasse

The family has chosen to have a private time of gathering, no public services will be held.

Blessed be the memory of Karen Erickson