1918
Helen
2007
Helen Erickson
September 8, 1918 — May 9, 2007
Erickson, Helen L. (Lief)
Age 88 of Edina MN. Born in Forest Lake, MN . Preceded in death by parents Andrew and Anna Erickson and four brothers, three of whom died in their nineties.
Survived by five nephews and nieces and families. Died on May 9, 2007 at Edina Care Center after many years of declining health. Helen attended Public School in Forest Lake and graduated from high school in 1936 and was valedictorian of her class. She attended Gustavus Adolphus College for one year and then went to Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis to study nursing and graduated in 1940 as a registered nurse. In preparation for a career as a foreign missionary she then attended the Lutheran Bible Institute and graduated in 1944. That same year she was called as a missionary to Tanzania by Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Because of World War II her six month journey to Tanzania included a three month wait in Portugal and continued around the Cape of Good Hope. She was assigned to be nurse in charge at Iambi Hospital by the Central Synod of the Lutheran Church. During the four year term the need for a nursing school became evident and she was asked to study nursing education during her home leave. She received a Bachelor of Science in nursing education at the University of MN. Upon her return to Tanzania she was assigned to Kiomboi Hospital and opened a three year school of nursing. This necessitated writing a syllabus in the Swahili language. She graduated her first class during this four year term. During these years she developed a keen interest in the tribal language (Ilyamba) of the area and while on her next leave studied linguistics. In subsequent home leaves she got a Masters Degree with a major in linguistics and minors in anthropology and foreign language teaching. The Church in Tanzania requested her to be the Ilyamba literature secretary in addition to updating Ilyamba New Testament manuscripts in conjunction with the British and Foreign Bible Society London. She prepared other Ilyamba literature for the Church. In recognition of her unique educational and Swahili language skills she was asked in l970 by the Lutheran Church of Tanzania to open a language school for new missionaries. During the following thirteen years she held 22 courses and had 500 students. One of her text books is available on the internet. She retired in 1983 at age 65. Funeral services 11:00 AM, Monday, May 14, 2007 at St. Luke?s Lutheran Church in Bloomington, MN, 170l W. Old Shakopee Rd. on with visitation one hour prior to the services. Internment at Scandinavian Cemetery, Forest Lake, MN Memorials may be directed to Global Health Ministries 7831 Hickory St.,NE, Minneapolis, MN 55432-2500
Age 88 of Edina MN. Born in Forest Lake, MN . Preceded in death by parents Andrew and Anna Erickson and four brothers, three of whom died in their nineties.
Survived by five nephews and nieces and families. Died on May 9, 2007 at Edina Care Center after many years of declining health. Helen attended Public School in Forest Lake and graduated from high school in 1936 and was valedictorian of her class. She attended Gustavus Adolphus College for one year and then went to Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis to study nursing and graduated in 1940 as a registered nurse. In preparation for a career as a foreign missionary she then attended the Lutheran Bible Institute and graduated in 1944. That same year she was called as a missionary to Tanzania by Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Because of World War II her six month journey to Tanzania included a three month wait in Portugal and continued around the Cape of Good Hope. She was assigned to be nurse in charge at Iambi Hospital by the Central Synod of the Lutheran Church. During the four year term the need for a nursing school became evident and she was asked to study nursing education during her home leave. She received a Bachelor of Science in nursing education at the University of MN. Upon her return to Tanzania she was assigned to Kiomboi Hospital and opened a three year school of nursing. This necessitated writing a syllabus in the Swahili language. She graduated her first class during this four year term. During these years she developed a keen interest in the tribal language (Ilyamba) of the area and while on her next leave studied linguistics. In subsequent home leaves she got a Masters Degree with a major in linguistics and minors in anthropology and foreign language teaching. The Church in Tanzania requested her to be the Ilyamba literature secretary in addition to updating Ilyamba New Testament manuscripts in conjunction with the British and Foreign Bible Society London. She prepared other Ilyamba literature for the Church. In recognition of her unique educational and Swahili language skills she was asked in l970 by the Lutheran Church of Tanzania to open a language school for new missionaries. During the following thirteen years she held 22 courses and had 500 students. One of her text books is available on the internet. She retired in 1983 at age 65. Funeral services 11:00 AM, Monday, May 14, 2007 at St. Luke?s Lutheran Church in Bloomington, MN, 170l W. Old Shakopee Rd. on with visitation one hour prior to the services. Internment at Scandinavian Cemetery, Forest Lake, MN Memorials may be directed to Global Health Ministries 7831 Hickory St.,NE, Minneapolis, MN 55432-2500
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