Miriam Ericson

Ericson, Miriam K. MADISON Miriam K. Ericson died peacefully on Thursday, April 3, 2008, in her home in Madison, where she had been cared for by her daughters. Miriam was talented and generous, made special friends wherever she was, and energetically pursued many interests. Miriam shared her passion for music with so many people throughout her life, as a high school teacher, church organist and choir director, piano teacher, and pianist in the North Shore Society of Performing Arts (formerly Phi Beta) in Illinois. She filled her home with love and laughter, music and Swedish, and family history - which she traced to Sweden and the Mayflower - and always in the background the Chicago Cubs broadcast. Born in Biggsville, in west-central Illinois on Oct. 20, 1912, she forged her own way through Knox College, six years of teaching high school, a career with the federal government in Washington, D.C. and Chicago, and later, a major textbook publisher. She married Russell W. Ericson in 1948, also from Biggsville. They made their home in Evanston, Ill. and she devoted herself to raising three daughters. Rooted in her sense of family, after retirement she and Russell enjoyed traveling and visiting extended family. Miriam warmly welcomed guests into her home, hosting family and friends, and friends of friends. Always independent in spirit, she continued to live among wonderful neighbors in Evanston for fifteen years after her husbands death in 1986. In 2001, Miriam moved to Madison, where she cultivated new friends, extended hospitality, continued to learn, and shared herself through her music. Three daughters, their husbands, and six grandchildren are grateful for her love and care, and will always admire her courage and humor. They are Constance Gruen of Madison, Carol and Brent Gearhart of Winston-Salem, N.C., Celia and Bjarne Brendstrup of Broager, Denmark; grandchildren, Eric and Mark Gruen, and Dan, Sofie, Lise, and Emma Brendstrup. Care givers in Madison became friends as well as providers. The family thanks the Oakwood Retirement Village community, HospiceCare, Home Health United, Comfort Keepers, and UW Health. An open house will be held at OAKWOOD RETIREMENT VILLAGE in the Tower building on Friday, April 11, 2008, from 2:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. A memorial service of thanksgiving and worship will be held at IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH in Evanston, Ill. later this spring. Memorial gifts may given to Oakwood Foundation, HospiceCare, or Immanuel Lutheran Church.