Darolyn Jean (Pierce) Erickson

Darolyn Jean (Pierce) Erickson passed away peacefully January 28, 2026; joining the love of her life Jack Erickson.

Graveside services will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at Greenwood Cemetery, Bemidji.

She is survived by her son (Tom Hill, his wife Rosemary, grandchildren Megan, Ciara, and Kelli and great grandchildren Liam and James), daughter (Barb Boguslawski, her husband Dan, and grand dogs Isabella, Brenie, and Sophie) and dear friends (Cindy & Bill Noren).  She will live eternally in their hearts.

Darolyn dedicated much of her life to the profession of nursing; first as a Surgical Technician then an LPN and finally an RN.  She and her daughter were the first mother/daughter team to graduate from Northland Community College with an RN Associate Degree in Nursing.  She was proud to serve years on the Minnesota Board of Nursing where she contributed to the development of the nursing profession while supporting the Nurse Practice Act.  Her nursing expertise was demonstrated as a Med Surg Nurse, ICU Assistant Head Nurse, and her passion finally led her into Recovery Room/Outpatient Nursing.  

She enjoyed many trips to Hawaii, California, Arizona and Las Vegas - some with girlfriends but mostly with her dear Jack whom she was united in marriage in 1982.  

For years she and Jack had a lovely, year round, home on Grace Lake, outside of Bemidji, then moved to Bunchberry Lane north of Bemidji (of course close to the Bemidji Town and Country Club).  They took many winter “snowbird” trips to California spending time in Desert Hot Springs outside of Palm Springs.  Eventually, their snowbird wings landed them at Lawrence Welk Village Golf Resort, outside of San Diego.  For three weeks they enjoyed daily golf and the warmth of the sun.  It was a magical place for them and those lucky enough to visit them.
Once fully retired in 1993 she and Jack built a beautiful new home in Sunbird Golf Resort outside of Phoenix Arizona; the street they lived on was Torrey Pines very fitting for golfers.  They enjoyed golfing every day (she got a “hole in one”, much to Jack’s dismay); having clicker clickers on the patio, and soaking up the good life.  Following Jack’s passing in 1998 Darolyn moved back to Bemidji to be closer to family and friends.  Amongst her many talents she had a beautiful singing voice and placed third and first at the Bemidji Sings Competition singing Frank Sinatra’s - “My Way” (fitting song for her).  She lived at Baker Park for many years then entered GoldPine Home where she flourished at Bingo.  Along with her love for singing, driving her car, photography, and the Casino’s, she treasured knitting; making many sweaters for friends, dish cloths, and puppy blankets for her grand dogs.  

Any Memorials can be made to the Northwest Technical College Nursing Scholarship Program.
 

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