Muriel A. Erickson

Muriel Anne Erickson of Bayfield passed peacefully at her home on January 29th, surrounded by her loving family and faithful dog, Momma. Muriel was born on July 31st, 1931, in Ashland, WI, to Fred and Beatrice (Shefchik) Roffers.
Muriel attended Saint Agnes Grade School and graduated from De Padua High School in 1949. During high school, she worked at her dad's Ford garage as a bookkeeper. Following high school, Muriel attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin. She majored in Home Economics and minored in English Education. She was also a founding member of the Stout chapter of the Tri-Sigma National Sorority. She graduated in May 1953. Her first teaching position following graduation was at Rice Lake High School, where she taught Home Economics.
On June 16th, 1954, she married Jim Erickson in Ashland at Saint Agnes Catholic Church. Together, they made their home in Bayfield, where they raised six children. In 1956, they purchased the Erickson farm from Jim's grandparents, Martin and Christine Erickson, and the adjoining farm from Olaf Selfor. Together, they established what is now known as Erickson Orchards and Country Store. It was their partnership, a shared belief in never giving up, and a lot of hard work that made the farm what it is today.
Muriel started teaching home economics in Bayfield in 1954. She wasn't just a teacher but a dedicated staff member, friend, and a second mom to many of her students. They affectionately referred to her as "Mrs. E," and many have kept in contact with her throughout the years, frequently stopping by to give her a hug and updates on their lives. She never thought of teaching as just a job but rather a calling, and one that she thoroughly enjoyed.
Muriel retired from teaching in Bayfield in 1990 and began what she referred to as her "second chapter" by opening the country store. When you entered the country store, you were met with the wonderful aroma of her famous apple cider donuts and additional baked goods, along with Muriel's homemade jams, jellies, and preserves. She worked tirelessly along with her sidekick and best buddy, Marian Larson. The country store was truly her pride and joy.
While being a business owner, teacher, and mother, Muriel was also very civically minded and was an active member of the Bayfield community and Holy Family Catholic Church. She served as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and parish council member. Muriel was also a proud member of the Junior League and Bayfield Civic Service League and loved participating in the Bayfield Follies. Additionally, she served on the board of the Bayfield and Community Education Foundation. Muriel worked with Jim to establish the Bayfield Apple Festival and was never a bystander. She believed it was her civic duty to serve and lead wherever and whenever she could. Muriel was forever a daredevil who never met a roller coaster she didn't like or a water slide too crazy. Snowmobile rides through the orchard were always an adventure, and her laugh would echo through the trees when yet again she made a toboggan full of people fall off.
While Muriel had many different passions and interests, it was her family that was truly the most important. Each grandchild would swear that they were her favorite. She will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her.
Muriel is survived by her children, Cindy (Ken) Nourse, Vicky (Rocky) Tribovich, Beth Erickson, former son-in-law Ken Kasinski, Fred (Julie) Erickson, and Paula (Don) Anderson; grandchildren Amanda (Ryan) Lang, Kate (Lenny) LaPointe, Jeremy (Aimee) Erickson, Jen Carey, Joe (Krista) Nourse, Donnie (Briana) Anderson, Emily (Casey) Nourse, Abbie (Jordan) Tyznik, Jenna (Chris) Gamble, Jamee (Porter Arvidson) Hansen, Jake Hansen, Dana (Nick) Wszalek, Ana (Tyler) Stoklasa, and Kaycee (Adrian) Schlueter. Great-grandchildren Madison, Lucas, Elise, Sully, Isla, Layne, Leona, Leo, Bennett, Bryson, Aurora, Charlie, Nicolas, Cameron, Oliver, Brooklyn, Owen, Eli, and Drew. Sisters-in-law Nancy Erickson and Sally Roffers. Her dear friend Marian Larson. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Beatrice Roffers, her siblings Dave and Dale Roffers along with sister-in-law Kay Roffers, Husband Jim Erickson, and daughter Mary Erickson-Hansen.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude and love to Theresa Gordon and Debra Newago-Proulx. These two incredible women provided invaluable support during Muriel's final year. Their gracious and loving care, together with the efforts of her children and grandchildren, enabled her to remain in her home.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025. A gathering for family and friends will be from 11:00 to 12:00. Funeral mass will be at noon. Immediately following, there will be a luncheon in the Holy Family Social Hall. Memorials may be made to the Bayfield Holy Family Catholic Church or the Bayfield Civic Service League.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Mountain Funeral Home and cremation services of Ashland and Mellen, WI. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Muriel, please visit our Tree Store.