Agnes (Erickson) Johnson

Funeral Services for Agnes (Erickson) Johnson will be held at Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, Nebraska on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Daren Popple and Chaplain Kathy Doiel officiating. Interment will be held in the Fridhem Cemetery at Funk following the services.

Agnes (Erickson) Johnson, 94 years of age, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at Holdrege Memorial Homes.  Agnes Margaret Blossom Bergstrom was born on June 2, 1921 to parents Albert T. and Hilma (Olson) Bergstrom in Kingsburg, California.  Due to the early death of her mother she lived with many relatives until living permanently with Uncle Carl & Aunt Maude Peterson.  She attended Funk District #53 and Holdrege schools.  She graduated high school from Luther Academy in Wahoo, Nebraska, where she went on to finish junior college.  Agnes then received her bachelor's degree in Education Mathematics at the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 1942.

Her teaching career brought her to Wakefield Public Schools, and she later taught math in Holdrege.  On August 12, 1944, Agnes married Oscar "Waldon" Erickson in Funk, and to this union three children were born:  Keith Robert, Margaret Ann, and James Myron.  The family made their home at Peter & Christina Erickson's, (Waldon's grandparents) homestead east of Funk.

Agnes stated that the theme of her life was the 3 'M's':  Mathematics, Music, and Ministry.  She loved to tutor in math and was active in the Fridhem Lutheran Church, where she sang in choir, taught Sunday School and led many bible studies. Her ministry was to be a light of Christ and living witness to others.  Waldon and Agnes were active members of the Holdrege Camp of Gideon's International.  She tutored and mentored many local students.  As a volunteer at Bethphage Home in Axtell, she met resident, Mary Elizabeth Johnson whom she helped attain her high school diploma and they became lifelong friends.  Agnes had a deep love for Bethphage as her dad resided there for many years after having had a stroke.

After 40 years of marriage, Waldon died on February 21, 1984.  Agnes began traveling for many years and met Reverend Warren Johnson from Iowa.  They wed on January 7, 1990 at Fridhem Lutheran Church.  After their marriage they resided in Johnston, Iowa, later moving to Little Falls and Robinsdale, Minnesota spending winters in Sun Lakes, Arizona.  After his death in November, 1999, Agnes remained in Robinsdale until returning to her Nebraska roots in 2004.  She resided at Erlandson Square in Holdrege, then moved to Holdrege Memorial Homes in 2007.

Her many hobbies and interests included: acting in the Prairie Players, genealogy, quilting, music, playing Scrabble and Some-R-Set, reading, poetry, crossword puzzles, and traveling including four trips to Sweden. She was a member of the local Genealogical Society, Nebraska Prairie Museum, Friendship Club, Axtell Women's Club, and Tre Kroner.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands: Waldon and Warren; brothers: Hilding, Stanley, and Clemens; sisters: Hazel Carlson and Ivas Hemfelt; daughter-in-law, Patricia 'Tish' Erickson and son-in-law, Loren Kring.

Survivors include: son, Keith Erickson and wife, Leanna of Wayzata, Minnesota, daughter, Margaret Kring of Funk, son, James Erickson and wife, Mariliss 'Su' of Aurora, Illinois; eight grandchildren: Kari McSherry and husband, Robert of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Brenda Jochum and husband, Scott of Kearney, Nebraska, Jeremy Kring and wife, Mindi of Axtell, Karl Erickson and wife, Deb of Rochester, Minnesota, LeAnn Jochum and husband, Tom of Axtell, Nebraska, Joe Erickson of Denver, Colorado, Denise Davis and husband, Greg of Kearney, David Erickson and wife, Rujun of New York, New York.  Sixteen great-grandchildren: Sean & Renee McSherry, Zach & Katelynn Jochum, Ashton & Christopher Kring, Ethan, Emma, & Elise Erickson, Madelynn, Fletcher & Oscar Clausen, Marc, Gavin, Aubrey, and Zane Davis; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be at Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in Agnes' honor and kindly suggested to the Gideon's International, Nebraska Prairie Museum or Holdrege Memorial Homes.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.