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    Thief River Falls – Bernadette Erickson, 79 of Thief River Falls, passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND with her loving family at her side.
    Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Thief River Falls.
    Visitation will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church.
    Bernadette May Blazek was born on January 21, 1939 in Thief River Falls, the daughter of Frank and Vina (Braaten) Blazek. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls.  She attended St. Bernard’s Catholic School and Lincoln High School.  
    In 1958, Bernadette was united in marriage to Leif Erickson and to this union three children were born: Kurt, Kent and Kelly. The family made their home in Thief River Falls. Leif passed away in 1988 from complications from MS.
    Bernadette worked at the Land-O- Lakes Creamery for a few years, Johnnies Café and St. Bernard’s Catholic Church.
    In 1989, Bernadette met Kenneth Garceau and they were faithful companions for the next 29 years together.  The couple enjoyed dancing, driving around looking at the deer, riding the pontoon up and down the river, and traveling to different places including, Hawaii, Medora, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico.
    Bernadette loved spending time with her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and enjoyed spending time in her flower garden and resting on the deck looking out over the river.
    Bernadette was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, American Legion Auxiliary and the Eagle’s Club all in Thief River Falls.
    Survivors include her children: Kent (fiancé, Angie) Erickson of Hutchinson, and Kelly Erickson of Red Lake Falls; grandchildren: Derek (Tina) Erickson, Jared Erickson, Marty Landin and Chad Dominick; great-grandchildren: Everett Erickson, Hazel Erickson and Brody Umhauer; faithful companion, Ken Garceau of Thief River Falls; sisters, Norita Van Wart of Florida and Kristen LaBass of Oklahoma; and many other relatives and friends.
    Bernadette is preceded in death by her husband, Leif; son, Kurt; and sister, Joan.
    Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
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