Margaret Botnen

Margaret Dronen Erickson Botnen, 94, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2012 at Eventide at Hi-Acres Manor in Jamestown, ND. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 AM at Faith Lutheran Church in Bismarck with Rev. Wes Aardahl officiating. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Steele, ND. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Wednesday one hour prior to the service. Margaret was born on the homestead of her parents, Nils and Louise Hanson Dronen, north of Driscoll, ND, on February 3, 1918. Her siblings were Andrew, Hannah Kluksdal, George, Albert, and Mary Malsam. She attended Clear Lake #3 School and Driscoll High School graduating in 1936. Margaret received her standard teaching certificate from Dickinson College in 1938. In 1967 she received her Bachelor of Science degree in education from Valley City State College. Her first teaching positions were in rural North Dakota schools. From there she went on to teach in Driscoll, Steele and Bismarck schools. Elementary grades were her first love but she also found working with "Special Reading" children for seven years very rewarding. Margaret married Joel E. Erickson on June 1, 1940, in Bismarck. Four children were to be born to this union of 25 years: DyVonne, Richard, David and Marjo. In 1943 Joel and Margaret moved to California. Joel was employed in defense work. In 1945 the family returned to Driscoll where Joel began farming and Margaret returned to teaching. It was here they as a couple began singing duets and eventually became part of a mixed quartet who sang for many funerals. In 1952 the family moved to Steele. In April 1966 Joel died of cancer. Margaret and Marjo, 8 years old, moved to Bismarck that fall where Margaret was hired as first grade teacher at Riverside School. Erling Botnen and Margaret were united in marriage on May 4, 1968. They were members of Faith Lutheran Church. They were active in Sons of Norway Singers and Dancers and were also part of Senior Square Dancers and the Senior Chorus. They enjoyed traveling which included four trips to Norway. Many winters were spent in Weslaco, TX. Trips to see their families were a highlight. Margaret retired on May 19, 1983, after 39 ½ years of teaching. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa teacher sorority. Throughout the years, activities she enjoyed were gardening, canning, baking, oil and water painting, crocheting, card playing, reading and playing the piano. After retirement she volunteered for many years at the Senior Center and Medcenter One. She was active in her church. She participated in Bible studies and the Friendship Circle at Faith Lutheran Church. As a young woman she accepted the Lord Jesus into her heart and life. This would guide many of her decisions throughout life. Erling died July 21, 2007, while in Missouri Slope Care Center. Margaret resided at Valley View Heights Assisted Living until moving to Eventide at Hi-Acres Manor in Jamestown in January 2012. Margaret will be remembered as a very hospitable person with a giving heart. She had a strong love for her family and friends and an abiding faith in God. She is survived by children, DyVonne Wallace Nelson, Gatesville, TX, Richard Diane Erickson, Jacksonville, FL, David Erickson, Frisco, CO, and Marjo Dayne Headland, Ypsilanti, ND; step-children, Willis Karen Botnen, Grand Forks, ND, Elwood Botnen, Wilton, ND, Dennis Carol Botnen, Pevely, MO, Karen Hall, Pompano Beach, FL, Corinne Jerry Peterson, Bismarck, ND, Judy Lowayne Krush, Wilton, ND, Inga John Polichnowski, Sycamore, IL, and Janell Bob Bethke, Grand Forks, ND; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; one sister and brother-in-law, Mary and John Malsam; and two sisters-in-law, Verna Dronen and Katherine Edwin Rundquist.

Margaret Botnen

February 3, 1918 - May 18, 2012