SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Ellva M. Erickson, 93, of Sioux Falls, passed away Saturday, May 8th, 2021, at Sanford Hospital surrounded by family. A private family graveside service will be held at the Toronto Cemetery in Toronto.
Memorials can be designated to “Marines Toys for Tots Foundation” and mailed to Ellva M Erickson Memorial, 6810 S. Minnesota Ave., Suite 102 Sioux Falls, SD 57108.
Ellva Mae Erickson was born Feb. 23, 1928, to Lillian (Hanson) and Hiram Hanson in Clear Lake. She spent her childhood in Clear Lake and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1946. After graduation, she received her teaching certificate from Eastern State Teachers College (Dakota State University) in Madison.
On April 4, 1947, she married Eugene (Gene) Erickson at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Clear Lake. They spent 71 years together until Gene’s passing in May of 2018. During their marriage, they owned and operated a farm west of Clear Lake in the “Hidewood” from 1951-1960. Together, they were blessed with four children: Linda, Laurel, Julie and Jeff. Ellva spent time raising her family while living on the farm, and then in Colome in 1966, Ellva and Gene became owners of Southern Hills Bank in Edgemont, where they worked side by side for 20 years.
In their later life, they moved to Rapid City and spent retirement in San Carlos, Mexico and in Arizona City, Ariz. during the winter months. She met many lifelong friends and loved entertaining and socializing with them. Ellva learned how to play golf in her retirement in Arizona.
In 2018, Ellva moved to Prairie Creek Assisted Living in Sioux Falls. She participated in many activities and loved walking outdoors around the pond every day in the summer. She looked forward to visits from her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her inviting, easy going demeanor made her very approachable, and she never met a stranger.
Ellva was a member of PEO and Business and Professional Women, a 4-H and cub scout leader, and a lifelong member of various Lutheran Churches.
Ellva is survived by her children Laurel (Jack) Hunter of Crawford, Neb.; Julie (Rex) Tollman of Lusk, Wyo.; Jeff (Linda) Erickson of Sioux Falls; eight grandchildren: Kris (Bob) Ferguson; Ross (Trisha) Hunter; Alicia (Rich) Robertson; Aaron (Jordan) Tollman; Kim (Eric) Pauli; Beth Erickson; Scott (Kelly) Erickson; Jamie (Ryan) Brown; 19 great-grandchildren and one brother, Don Hanson of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene; daughter, Linda; grandson, Andrew; her parents, grandparents; one brother, Wallace; and sister-in-law Mary.
