Hope Margaret Erickson

Hope Margarete (Rovn) Erickson, passed away suddenly on June 3, 2023, at Spencer Municipal Hospital. She was 87 years old, just three days shy of her 88th birthday on June 6.

Hope is survived by her husband of 67 years Marvin Erickson; her children Gregory Erickson of Spencer, Iowa; Stacy Grover and her husband Brian Grover of Spencer, Iowa; and Colin Erickson and his wife Melanie Mann-Erickson of Johnston, Iowa. Forever remembered by her granddaughter Holly (Ben) Halverson and great-grandchildren Alexis, Ryne, and Max, of Sanborn, Iowa; grandson Travis Grover of Spencer, Iowa; and granddaughter Eve Mann-Erickson and grandson Evan Mann-Erickson of Johnston, Iowa. She is also loved and remembered by her sister Dawn (Jim) Rohrig and family of Arvada, CO.

Hope was preceded in death by her parents Lehman and Margarete (Skerl) Rovn of Estherville, Iowa, and a grandson, Gregory Sky Erickson, of Spencer, Iowa.

Hope was born on June 6, 1935, and lived in Armstrong, Iowa, and moved to Estherville, Iowa soon after. She attended school in Estherville, Iowa, graduating from high school in 1953. Hope had received a scholarship offer from Julliard which she declined and attended Estherville Junior College. She was united in marriage to Marvin Erickson in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on January 7, 1956. Marvin worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company and the young couple moved several times early in their marriage, but always stayed in the Northwest Iowa area. In 1964, she and her family settled in Spencer, Iowa, for the remainder of her life.

Hope was an extremely gifted musician who played the piano as well as all woodwind instruments. Music was truly one of passions. Hope also was an accomplished seamstress who made many items for her children and grandchildren to cherish her memory. She was capable of making almost anything, from recovering furniture to making her daughter’s wedding dress. Her Christmas tree skirts were a work of art. In approximately 1980, Hope decided to make a career of this talent, and

began work at Twetten’s Furniture in Spencer, Iowa, and made many curtains/window treatments for homes in the Spencer area, including several in the Iowa Great Lakes Area and beyond. She eventually opened her own business, Hope’s Drapery Workshop, and continued to share her talents with her community for several years.

Hope was a member of Eastern Star, First Congregational Church in Spencer, Iowa, and a devoted member of the Republican Party. She volunteered as a poll-worker during many election cycles.

Hope’s favorite retreat was the family cottage on Roy Lake in South Dakota. This had been one of her favorite places since she was a young child with several relatives in the immediate area.

Hope cared deeply for the people around her. She was a staunch supporter of her husband, children and grandchildren and made an impact on many lives. She will be forever missed.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Marvin Erickson, 916 11^th Ave E., Spencer, IA 51301.

Private family service at a later date