Bertha Erickson

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Bertha (nee Kooping) Erickson, 96, of Ironwood Township, passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at the Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee.

Bertha was born on July 23, 1927, in Ironwood Township, a daughter of Jacob and Sophie (Korpela) Kooping. She grew up in Ironwood Township.

Bertha spent her entire life farming and was fully engaged with all activities and responsibilities required of maintaining a farm. Her husband, Everett, and she ran a dairy and potato farm for many years in Ironwood Township. Aside from cows, they had chickens, pigs on occasion, and horses. Growing up, Bertha and her sisters were devoted 4-H members and were active exhibitors at the Gogebic County Fair. Bertha enjoyed 4-H camps and talked about these experiences for years thereafter.

During World War II, Bertha moved to Milwaukee and Chicago to work in manufacturing facilities to support the war effort. After returning to Ironwood Township, Bertha continued her life of farming while raising three children, Gail, Dean and Marsha.

Bertha was a faithful member of St. John's Lutheran Church and a supporting member of Sarah Circle, where she developed many lifelong friendships. She was proud of her involvement with the Gogebic County Fair and spent more than 60 seasons volunteering as a clerk in the horticulture department. She loved the Gogebic County Fair and was honored with a plaque for her dedicated years of service to the event. Bertha was an active member of the Finnish American Choir (more recently the Little Finland Chorus) and enjoyed performing with the group at various venues. Furthermore, Bertha participated in numerous activities sponsored by the National Finnish American Cultural Center. She enjoyed singing her entire life, and even in her later years would perform for her friends at Eastwood Nursing Center.

Bertha enjoyed gardening and even in her later years maintained a substantial garden at her township farm. Every year she would grow countless vegetables as well as maintain an apple and cherry orchard. Bertha also had a lovely flower garden. Other hobbies included knitting, canning, sewing, baking bread and pastries and playing her organ. Bertha loved the woods and outdoors in general. She loved walks and snowshoeing and Nordic skiing in the winter months through her pastures. She also loved Lake Superior and could be found swimming at Little Girl's Point during family picnics on Sunday afternoons.

Even in her later years, after she became legally blind, Bertha remarkably maintained a centennial farmhouse, and continued to garden, bake and ski. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt.

Surviving are her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and numerous other loving relatives.

Bertha was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Arvo Kooping, Melvin Kooping, Wilbert Kooping, Helen Mattson, Marion Saari, Sylvia Saari, Saima Walkonen and Anelma Moisio; her husband, Everett, in 1983; and her children, Gail Erickson, Dean Erickson and Marsha Lucas.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Aug. 16, at 10 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:45 a.m., at St. John's Lutheran Church, E5071 Airport Road, in Ironwood Township, with the Rev. Bill Jacobson officiating.

A committal service and interment will follow at Sunset Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township.

Luncheon will be served at the church fellowship hall immediately upon return from the cemetery.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.