Erika (Flesche) Nelson, 43, of Thief River Falls passed away surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, June 30, 2019 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND.
The funeral service to celebrate Rikka’s life will be held will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, with Pastor Timothy Self officiating.
Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. with a 5 p.m. prayer service on Sunday, July 7, 2019 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Monday at Zion Lutheran Church.
Erika “Rikka” Nelson was born on March 24, 1976 and was the daughter of Ila Flesche of Fargo, ND and the late Everett Flesche. She grew up on their family farm near St. Hilaire and graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, where she enjoyed participating in Precision Dance Line and Ice-Skating Program. Erika was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she was baptized, confirmed and married. This was where she learned to know and love her Lord and Savior.
On June 13, 1998 Erika married Kurt B. Nelson of Thief River Falls at Zion Lutheran Church. They had one daughter, Alexa Lynn and one son, Jordan Bradley. Erika graduated from Northland Community College in Thief River Falls in 1998 and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She was employed by NWMC and worked for Inter-County Nursing service for a number of years. Most recently she was employed by Digi-Key in Thief River Falls.
Rikka was a kind, loving, caring woman who never said a bad word about anything or anyone. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and never complained. Rikka was happiest being with her family and friends.
Erika is survived by her husband Kurt, daughter Alexa (Thomas Gullikson), son Jordan, her granddaughters Rylee Marie and Jessa Claire, her mother Ila Flesche of Fargo, ND, brother Dana Flesche of Houston, TX, and his children Layla, Layne and Landon. She is also survived by her mother and father-in-law, Howard and Marge Nelson of Thief River Falls, brothers-in-law: Bob Nelson, Scott Nelson, Tom Nelson; and sister-in-law Sherry Nelson. Aunt and uncles: Burton and Kristie Berg, Floyd and Carrie Curtis, Donna Holm and Kornell Erickson, Perdean Flesche, Lauren and Dorothy Flesche; and many cousins.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com