Bernice Julia Erickson
KINGSORD — Bernice Julia Erickson, 86, of Kingsford, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, surrounded by her loving daughters after a battle with dementia and other health issues. Bernice was born on May 26, 1937, in Niagara, Wis., to Bernard and Ada (Andreoli) Rutkowski.
She attended Niagara High School and graduated as her class’s salutatorian. For most of her working career, she worked at J.M. Malin as a secretary. She was an avid antique collector and owned the Curiosity Shop in Iron Mountain. Bernice always believed that her guardian angels were looking over her. She was a loving pet owner and enjoyed traveling.
One of her greatest achievements was choosing to go to college in her 50s, and receiving a scholarship from the Zonta Club for her schooling. She earned a registered nursing degree from Bay de Noc Community College that she used to work in the dialysis unit in Crystal Falls.
She is survived by her sister, Irene Donovan of Kingsford; daughters, Linda (Alburtus) Smith of Virginia Beach, Va., and Dawn (Thomas Miksa) Griggs of Iron Mountain; grandchildren, Amanda Griggs, Abby (Anthony Adams) Griggs, and Jacob (Sydney Loukus) Griggs of Iron Mountain; and great-grandchildren, Isaac and Anabelle Carpenter of Iron Mountain; as well as many friends and family who will miss her.
Burial will be a private ceremony for family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all who wish to remember Bernice make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, which was a charity that she supported all of her life.
Condolences to the family of Bernice J. Erickson may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.
The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.