Smila Erickson, age 88, of Cloquet, died peacefully on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Evergreen Knoll Senior Living. Born on December 8, 1937, in Waseca, Minnesota, to Maynard and Hilda (Attenberger) Bleck, she married Clarence Erickson on October 26, 1957. Together they shared 61 years of marriage and built a loving home and family.
Smila devoted her early years to raising her children, a role she cherished deeply. She found great joy in attending the sporting events of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was active in her community, belonging to the Finlandia Beach Club, the Genealogy Club, and the VFW Auxiliary, and she volunteered regularly at the local nursing home. Later in life she worked at the Cloquet Public Library, where her love of books felt perfectly at home. She enjoyed reading, counted cross-stitch, jigsaw puzzles, and had a special passion for family genealogy research. She also loved to travel, especially on mystery bus trips.
Smila is survived by her daughter Becky (Jay) Tremblay; daughter-in-law Lisa Erickson; foster son Vernon (Jennifer) Erickson; grandchildren Angela (John) Irvine, Melissa (George) Lahr, Nathan Erickson, Corey Erickson, and Matthew Erickson; great-grandchildren Madeline (Wyatt White), Alice and Boyd Irvine, Isabelle and William Lahr, Eliana and August Erickson, Owen and Chase Erickson; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Maynard and Hilda Bleck; her husband, Clarence Erickson; her sons, Mike and Mark Erickson; her sister, Betty Kolenda; and her niece, Shandra Kolenda.
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