Margarethe Erickson

Margarethe Erickson, born February 1, 1927, and died at the age of 97 on January 27, 2025. Her parents were Hermann and Luise Steinkamp of Bielefeld, Germany. She was baptized into Christ as an infant. She immigrated to the United States in 1949, sponsored by her aunt Johanna Klusmann. She became a naturalized citizen in 1954. She attended business college in Idaho Falls, worked as a secretary for realty and insurance companies, US Corps of Engineers and the Department of Energy. She married Wendell Erickson in 1955. Their two sons are Arnie (Arnold) Wendell Erickson live in Idaho Falls and Rey (Reynold) John Erickson in Centennial, CO. 

 Early in life she was introduced to music. She became a member of the Bielefelder Kinderchor (children’s choir of Bielefeld) and the Stadt Chor (city choir of Bielefeld). While in the Kinderchor, she traveled extensively to Prague, Budweiss and Salzburg. The “Chor” cut a record in Cologne in pre-WWII Germany. While in Berlin for a radio broadcast show the Chor was invited by Lufthansa to take a scenic air ride over Berlin and the grounds of the 1936 Olympic Games. The choir members even received a certificate from the German Airline in the blue and white colors of the airline. 

 She studied recorders, lute, violin and flute. She shared her love of music with children and adults as a member of St John Lutheran congregation in Idaho Falls and Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Lake Havasu, AZ. She was a member of church and community choirs. For many years she was a Sunday School teacher. In 1962 her parents came to Idaho Falls and celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary, they liked it so much they had to extend their visas twice. The family built a cabin in Island Park where they enjoyed summertime. After retirement Margarethe and Wendell spent their winter months in Lake Havasu City, AZ. 

 Her husband, Wendell, preceded her in death in 2002. She is survived by her sons Arnie and Rey, her daughter-in-law Bobbi and three grandchildren, Samantha, Matthew and Nathan. A brother Martin Steinkamp and sister-in-law, Madeline and many nieces and nephews: Dwayne, Luina, Leroy, Victor, Charles, Allan, Paul, Gene, Linda, Donna, Renea, David, Darrel Melanie and Laurel. Funeral services will be held at St. John Lutheran Church, 7th and Emerson (#290) in Idaho Falls at 10:30 AM, on Friday, January 31, with Pastor Stephen Weims. The family will meet relatives and friends one hour before services. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery next to her beloved husband. A lunch will be served at St. John Lutheran Church following the Internment Service. 

The family would like to thank the hard work of the staff and management of Eden Home and Hospice, Fairwinds-Sand Creek (especially Diane who was patient but honest about mom’s condition) and Morning Star Reflections Community. Everyone was so kind and supportive, especially at the end of her life.