Cynthia Erickson

Cynthia “CoCo” Louise (Asleson) Erickson, age 76, passed away from cancer Sunday, May 24, 2020 at her home on Ten Mile Lake, rural Dalton, MN. surrounded by her husband and family.

Cynthia was born in Fergus Falls, MN on October 11, 1943 to Waldemar and Evelyn (Kronemann) Asleson.  She was baptized, confirmed, married and will be buried, at Rock Prairie Lutheran Church in Wendell, MN.  She attended country school at the end of her farm driveway and graduated from Elbow Lake-Wendell High School.  She went on to get her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota-Morris, as a charter member of the first university class there, starting college at age 16.

During her first month in college, she spotted a young man walking across campus and announced to friends that she was going to marry him.  She took lecture notes that only she could read, leaving out vowels, her own special shorthand, and shared them with the lad she had targeted.  On April 20, 1963, she married Gary Erickson.  They were sweethearts for nearly 60 years.

She used her college degree in social services for one year before deciding to stay at home with her children.  She truly embraced being a full-time mother and later, a grandmother.  Her family was her life, and life was best anytime they were together.

Cynthia was an excellent cook, an avid reader, and a skilled seamstress, always having multiple projects in process.  Her hands were never still.  Even on road trips she was sewing, knitting, crocheting, or cross-stitching.  If a grandchild’s clothing had a hole or tear their answer was always, “Grandma can fix it!”  Her four-legged friends were also very important to her, often describing herself as “one cat shy of being a Crazy Cat Lady.”

For years, various area churches enjoyed her services as organist, pianist, and choir director.  She played for countless weddings and funerals, and she also accompanied many a budding artist throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Luke Stephens, and son-in-law Steve Stephens.  She will be warmly remembered by daughters, Dr. Wendy (Rich Fitzer) Stephens, of Osakis, MN, Becky (Steve) Lacey of Dallas, GA and son, Randy (Denise) Erickson, of Barnesville, MN.

Her grandchildren include: Rachel (Justin) LaMachia, Nathanael (Kaci Olds) Stephens, Lydia Stephens, Peder Erickson, Elizabeth Erickson, Abigail Erickson, Madeline Lacey, Kate Lacey, and great-granddaughter Imogen Vale LaMachia.

A family funeral will be held at Calvary Free Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, MN on Friday, May 29, followed by a burial in Rock Prairie Lutheran Church Cemetery, Wendell, MN.  The funeral service will be live streamed at 2 p.m. on her obituary page at www.GlendeNilson.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that memorials be sent to The Gideon’s International or the Association of Free Lutheran Bible College and Seminary.

To protect the health and safety of all, services are currently being limited as required by state and local authorities and the CDC.  Expressions of sympathy during this time can be left on the condolences page available with the obituary on the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home website or mailed to 10998 Morningside Dr, Dalton, MN 56324. We also encourage you to view the video tribute and/or webcast of the service that will be available.  Check the funeral home website for the latest COVID-19 update.