Marie Ericson

Former Chugiak resident Marie Sarkipato Ericson, 88, died Aug. 27, 2007, at White Oaks Assisted Living in Lawton, Mich., after a long illness.
Service arrangements are pending.
Marie was born May 16, 1919, in Ely, Minn., to Ely pioneers Otto Wilhelm Sarkipato and Ida Marie Koivu Sarkipato. She was the youngest of four children.
She graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1937 and attended Ely Junior College. She and her husband, Roland Ericson, operated the Lodge of Whispering Pines on Big Lake north of Ely until the mid-1950s.
During her teen years in the 1930s, Marie gained national attention and was instrumental in putting Ely on the map as a tourist destination when she became the first female guide in the Superior National Forest. Escorted by then-Minnesota Gov. Harold Stassen, she represented Minnesota at the New York World's Fair and was featured in numerous national press and wire service articles.
Her singing voice was recorded for the Library of Congress by Marjorie Edgar in 1937 as a soloist of Finnish folk songs. She was deeply involved in Democratic politics, worked on numerous state and national campaigns, and attended the 1960 inaugural ball of President John F. Kennedy.
She later had a hotel and restaurant career in Miami, Fla., New Haven, Conn., and Anchorage. She had been a resident of Alaska for more than 30 years, most recently in Chugiak. She moved back to Michigan just a few months ago.
Marie is survived by two daughters, Roberta Ericson of Beechwood, New South Wales, Australia, and Judy Ericson and husband Arthur Turco of New York City; three grandchildren, Dr. Jada Turco, Jonathan Turco and Jared Turco, all of New York City; brother, August Mort of Ohio; niece, Laurie Sarkipato Goggin; and nephew, Dr. Daniel Sarkipato, both of Michigan.
Her parents, husband, brother Otto Sarkipato and sister Viola Sarkipato Wahlberg preceded her in death.
Arrangements are with Adams Funeral Home, Paw Paw. Share a memory or condolence on line at www.timeformemory.com/adams.

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