Obituary of Bernice Erickson

Bernice Erickson June 19, 1927 ~ May 30, 2015 "A Legacy of Love" is the phrase that best describes the life of Bernice Erickson. Known to all as "Bun", she always had time for people, whether they were strangers or family and friends. Her capacity for listening with love and without judgement was astounding and her absence leaves a void in the lives of all who knew her. Bun was the fourth of seven children born to Clifford and Bessie Lawrence. She considered her childhood on the family farm in Buffalo Lakes to be wonderful and felt extremely fortunate to have close relationships with all of her siblings throughout her life. She had a lifelong love of reading and as a child would often sneak off to a "quiet place", forcing her family to search the barn, outhouse and other secluded spots around the farm. Her education at Chatham School and St. Joseph's High School and Business College led to a job with Northland Utilities in Dawson Creek. While living there, she met and married the love of her life, Carl Edvin Erickson. Carl and Bun settled in Dawson, raising their 3 sons, Cliff, Hugh and Mark, along with their fledgling electrical business from the ground up. With the boys and the business doing well, the couple decided to add the challenge of running a farm and moved to Bessborough in 1962. Bun was busy with gardening, canning and the thousand other jobs to do on a farm, as well as running the office at Erickson's Electric, but she somehow found the time to welcome her many visitors. Both the Erickson farm and business were hives of activity and anyone dropping by could be sure of a lively chat or sympathetic ear as needed. As her children started families of their own, Bernice wholeheartedly embraced the role of grandmother and later great-grandmother. In her usual fashion, she did not stop at her own family, but welcomed every child into her heart and home. She is still called "Grandma Bun" by many people in their 40's and younger. When Carl died in 1993, she held her family even closer together and continued running Erickson's Electric with her sons. Bun semi-retired in 2005, but could be seen around the shop until 2008 keeping the boys in line. In 2013, she moved in with her granddaughter Toni, gifting that household with her grace and love. Bernice died May 30 at Dawson Creek Hospital surrounded by her family. Bun's capacity for love was infinite and her joy was found in the people around her. She loved her life and would want all of her friends and family to know how much she cared for them and how each person added richness to her existence. We can best honour her life and memory by continuing her legacy of love. Bernice is predeceased by her parents Clifford and Bessie and by her husband Carl. She is survived by her children Cliff and Carol, Hugh, Mark and her siblings Edna, Hugh, Fern, Yvonne, Jim, Bill and their families. She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren Toni, Candace, Matthew, Cianna, Kim, Jana and Mike, as well as their spouses and Grandma Bun's fourteen great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held June 16, 2015 at the Dawson Creek Alliance Church, officiated by Reverend Marilyn Carroll, inurnment followed in the Dawson Creek City Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 1100 Alward Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7B1 Service 2:00 pm Tuesday, June 16, 2015 Dawson Creek Alliance Church 9009 - 10th street DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia, Canada V1G 4T2 Interment Dawson Creek City Cemetery 1900 Alaska Avenue DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia, Canada