Shirley Ione Erickson, age 87, of LeSueur, and formerly of Albert Lea, died Saturday, June 23, 2007 at the Gardenview Nursing Home in LeSueur.

She was born on Dec. 28, 1919, in Alden to Clarence and Louise (Krensing) Raines. She graduated from Alden High School in 1938 and completed a secretarial course at the Minneapolis School of Business. On Jan. 30, 1946, she married August Erickson at the United Methodist Church in Alden. After the birth of their daughter, she stayed at home to care for her family. She also created and sold beautiful special occasion cakes decorated in her own very unique style. Shirley enjoyed cooking, baking, flower gardening, craft projects, embroidering dishtowels and collecting special recipes, pictures, stories and quotations. Shirley loved spending time with friends and family. She is lovingly remembered for her wry wit, sly smile, kind heart and gentle spirit. Shirley always tried to add that little extra touch that made time together special and holidays memorable. Shirley lived in Albert Lea for more than 40 years. After the death of her husband in 1986 she moved to LeSueur,

to be near her daughter. She enjoyed many years living at Sunrise senior apartments and lived at Lexington Commons assisted living for 11 months. Shirley was a member of the Alden and LeSueur United Methodist Churches.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan (Tom) Kahle of LeSueur; sister, Sarah Thompson of Coon Rapids; and sister-in-law, Shirley Raines Wright of Albert Lea. Also surviving are several cousins and many generations of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brothers, Roger Raines of Alden and Merlyn Raines of Brooksville, Fla.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. from the United Methodist Church in LeSueur.

The Rev. William N. Kerr and the Rev. Steve Thompson will officiate. Interment will be at 3 p.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery in Albert Lea. Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Kolden Funeral Home in LeSueur and one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday.