Ruby Anna Erickson

Ruby Erickson of Harris passed away on Wednesday, July 16th at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis at the age of 88. Ruby Anna Stallcop was born on November 15, 1925 to parents Clifford and Anna Stallcop in Page Township, Minnesota. She attended country school until the eighth grade. She met Norman Balfanz and they were married in April of 1945. They lived in Minneapolis until 1953 when they purchased the “Harris Hotel”. They later renamed it Ruby and Norm’s. This was a great place to get a good steak after dancing at Lakeside Pavilion on Saturday nights. This was also a family meeting place after the softball games. They sold the business in 1971 due to Norman’s failing health. In 1973 she went to work for Green Acres as a cook and worked there until she retired in 1991. She married Norton Erickson on Aug 24, 1991, at his home in Harris. He welcomed all his new step children. They attended many old time dances and one of their favorite places to go was the Taylors Falls Barn Dance. Before she became ill she loved to crochet items for family members. She was a member of First Lutheran Church of Harris and Harris Legion Auxillary She moved to Gracewood Assisted Living in North Branch on April 1st, 2014. She was happy there, but always said “it’s not home”. The family always could tell if she was having a good day as she loved music and you would be able to hear her singing and humming a tune. She is survived by her husband Norton, children: Connie (Neal) Sederberg, Steve (Janice) Balfanz, Darline Campbell and friend Bruce Hiles, David “Smoky” (Patty) Balfanz, DeeDee (Mike) Still and Larry (Shari) Erickson; grandchildren: Randy and Scott Sederberg, Chad Balfanz and Stephanie Deiss, Amy Coleman, Angie Olson, Doug Campbell, Tim and Breanna Balfanz, Alysha Chouinard and Josh Still; great grandchildren: McKenzie, Jagear and Sierra Sederberg, Carlie Nerhus, Sydney Balfanz, Tillie Deiss, Tyler and Evan Coleman, Kelsie and Kasidie Olson, Bennie Kunesh, Madison and Morgan Campbell, Braxden and Kendrah Chouinard, and Brynna Still. She was preceded in death by her parents Clifford and Anna Stallcop, her first husband Norman Balfanz, her three brothers: Lester, Milton, Delos; sister Grace Webster, and a son-in-law David Campbell. Reverend Conrad Warner will officiate funeral services 11:00 a.m., Monday July 21st at the First Lutheran Church of Harris. Visitation will be held on Sunday afternoon from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Olson Funeral Chapel of Rush City and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Harris. Arrangements for Ruby Erickson are with the Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City, Olson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com