Roberta "Bobby" Erickson

Funeral service for Roberta Erickson will be 11:00 am Monday, December 29, 2025 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in New England, with Pastor Scott Erickson officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Visitation for Roberta will be Monday, December 29, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

Roberta passed away Sunday, December 14, 2025 at St. Benedicts Health Center, surrounded by her family.

Roberta "Bobby Jo" Wieland was born on July 19, 1935, in Regent, ND, the daughter of Ernest and Mildred (Richardson) Wieland. She grew up on the family farm southwest of Regent and attended country school. She attended high school in New England, where she graduated in 1953. Following graduation, Bobby was employed as a stenographer at the bank.

On February 12, 1955, Bobby married her high school sweetheart, Orlin Erickson, at Rainy Butte Lutheran Church. Together they made their home on the Erickson farm where they were blessed to raise their four children: Vicki, James, Dawn, and Michele.

Bobby loved being a farm wife, gardening, quilting and bird watching, making sure the feeders were always kept full. She enjoyed visitors and was always prepared with a fresh pan of scotcheroos on the weekends, which then converted to treats and candy for her grandkids, great-grandkids and "her girlies." Grandma Bobby always asked how each one was doing and what activities they had coming up. Her warm home, hot water always ready, treats, visits, and conversations will be truly missed.

She was extremely detail-oriented and well known for her beautiful penmanship and proper spelling, which she elegantly maintained throughout her life. Bobby left a lasting imprint on the New England community. She was the first-ever Lady Lions member, a lifetime TOPS member, served on St. Luke's Home Board of Directors, was an active WELCA member.
Bobby devoted many years caring for elderly family members and a beloved neighbor. She was an integral member of New England Burgers in the Park, where her fast hands made her an expert "trophy" fly hunter. She enjoyed driving school bus for many years, singing in the church choir, was proud to have learned to play the organ by ear, and in her retirement years, she kept busy with crossword puzzles and sudoku.

Bobby is survived by her children: Vicki French of Sumter, SC; James (Cheryl) Erickson of New England; Dawn (Bruce) Finch of Days Creek, OR; and Michele (Jamie) Rout of Chillicothe, OH; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Marv (Karen) Wieland and sister-in-law, Robyn Wieland.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Mildred Wieland; her husband, Orlin Erickson (1992); and her siblings, Gayle (Monica) Weiland and Jay Weiland.