Naomi Erickson, 88, Blooming Prairie
Naomi Ruth (Serum) Erickson passed away peacefully on July 21, 2024, at Prairie Manor in Blooming Prairie, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 88 years old. A wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Naomi devoted her life to helping others, whether as a school teacher or area volunteer. She was much loved and will be greatly missed by all.
Naomi was born on April 2, 1936, to Edward and Laura (Evans) Serum on the farm in Modena, Wis. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Gilmanton, where they farmed in Turner Valley. Naomi helped out on the farm wherever she was needed, including driving tractor at a very young age. To her dismay she would pop wheelies unintentionally on the rolling hills on her favorite tractor. Being the tomboy that she was, she enjoyed wearing her bib overalls during chore time. Had she had it her way, she would have worn them all the time.
Naomi graduated from Gilmanton High School in May 1954. Her father had always hoped one of his daughters would become a teacher and she was determined to fulfill his wish. After graduation she attended the Buffalo County Teacher’s College in Alma, Wis. In May 1956, Naomi began her teaching career at Jahns Valley School near Gilmanton in a one-room country schoolhouse where she taught grades 1-8. In 1957, she accepted a position to teach fifth grade in Blooming Prairie where she taught for 39 years. In 1971, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Mankato State College after taking evening courses and attending summer school.
When she was graduated from the Teachers College in 1956, Naomi’s yearbook quote was, “The more I see of men, the better I like horses.” But then she met the love of her life when her cousin introduced her to Darrell Erickson. They got engaged on Christmas Eve in 1957 and were married in the Modena Lutheran Church on August 16, 1958. Thankfully, Darrell remained better than a horse, because they were married for more than 63 years, until his passing in 2022. The newlyweds made their home in Blooming Prairie, where Naomi was already teaching the fifth grade.
Naomi earned the single-letter designation “Mrs. E” from her students over her decades of teaching. Early in her teaching career her threat to discipline an unruly student by pulling their ear became legendary. As time passed, however, the ear-pull morphed into being a heartfelt tug that her students lined up at the end of the day to receive as they left her room. It was her special way of showing she cared. Naomi had a deep passion for teaching and was well-respected by her students. She made her students feel special. In 2017, she received the Outstanding Educator Award from the Blooming Prairie Education Foundation for her contributions made during her teaching career and to the community. Earlier in her career she was named to Who’s Who Among American Teachers.
After retiring Naomi couldn’t turn off the teacher mode and tutored children throughout the community after school in her home. Naomi was an active member at First Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday school, participating in WELCA, circle, and visitation committee. Naomi could be found frequently at Prairie Manor or the Heather Haus, where she volunteered to help residents play games, delivered church bulletins individually to residents or just visited with them. Early each weekday morning Naomi could be found making coffee at the Senior Center and setting up the tables for lunch. She was heavily involved with Meals on Wheels, along with Darrell. In recognition of all their contributions to Blooming Prairie, Darrell and Naomi were named Grand Marshals of the annual Fourth of July parade in 2012.
Naomi enjoyed causing mischief and was known for her sense of humor. She had a huge heart, was kind, generous, and spunky. She was a stubborn 100% Norwegian. She enjoyed fishing, playing card and board games with family, having coffee with friends, and took pleasure in spoiling her grandchildren. She was the best mom and grandma. Naomi loved Christmas and making it special for others. She had great pride in her Serum blood, which she said kept her healthy and tough. Naomi was a lifelong devoted Green Bay Packers fan. Her support for the Packers paid off for her students in the winter of 1997 when the Packers won the Super Bowl. She had promised if her team was victorious, she would bring each of her students a Blizzard from the Dairy Queen.
Naomi is survived by her children, Julie Erickson, of Eden Prairie and Jeffrey (Kim), of Blooming Prairie; grandchildren, Spencer (Alyssa) Toay, of Maple Grove, MacKenzie Toay, of Denver, Eddie Erickson, of Owatonna, and Thomas Erickson, of Blooming Prairie; great grandchildren, Declan Toay and baby brother due in September; sister Jeanette (Glen) Reit of Arcadia, Wis.; sister-in-law Bernice Serum, of Gilmanton, Wis.; and nieces and nephews.
Naomi was preceded in death by her husband, Darrell; her parents, Edward and Laura Serum; brothers Armour, Noble, and Orville; sisters Alice Amundson and Lorraine Westegaard; and her father- and mother-in-law Leon and Julia Erickson.
Naomi’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Prairie Manor and the Austin Mayo Hospice team, especially Regina and Mary, for their excellent and loving care they gave.
We will be celebrating Naomi’s life with a memorial gathering from 11-2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Blooming Prairie. A committal service and inurnment will be held at Lyster Lutheran Church Cemetery in Nelson, Wis., at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Blooming Prairie Education Foundation or First Lutheran Church of Blooming Prairie.
Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Blooming Prairie is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.