Lynn's Funeral

Yesterday was long, but it was good. The viewing  started at 9:30. I was able to get over there with all of the kids a little after 10:00.  There were a lot of people there waiting in line. It was wonderful to see so many people that I love, and to reconnect with family. A lot of people from Lynn's family came to pay their respects as well. And it was such a testament to Linda that 8 of her siblings made it to the funeral. There is a lot of love in that family.

And I am always surprised to find out when someone reads my blog. Apparently one of Rinar's cousins does. I don't think I had ever met her , but it was funny because she knew all of my kids well and wanted to meet them.  

The viewing went a little over the schedule because there were a lot of people and they all wanted to wish us well. Rinar stood in the line with the rest of his siblings and Linda. There were a lot of tears, smiles, laughs, hugs.

Then the doors were closed and it was just family members. Lynn's brother Einar gave a prayer and then everyone was given one more chance to look at Lynn's body. He looked serene laying there and I felt that he is much happier now where he is in the spirit world than when he was here on this earth, especially these last few years. Death was a blessing for him, as his body was old and very tired and a burden to carry around. I felt the spirit confirm this to me, by the quiet whispering of the Holy Ghost. Lynn is already very busy up there doing the Lord's work.

We are all sad that he is gone because we are going to miss him so much. But death is not a reason to be sad. Lynn lived a gallant and righteous life. He was ready to meet his maker. Now he is where he needs to be.

The funeral service was lovely. I led the opening hymn, "Lord, I Would Follow Thee". Then Noelle started to cry. She really was not sad about grandpa. She was just telling everybody that she was hungry!  Linda talked first and I had to sit in the lobby to listen so that I could feed my baby. Linda explained how they met. It is a cute story. Then she played a piano duet with Rinar. When that was done, Rinar gave the eulogy. I came back inside for that, but didn't stay long. All of the little kids were already pretty restless. Harry was especially restless and asked me about every 15 seconds when it was time to go home. "Mom, I want to go home", "Mom, when can we go home?" Brooke and I were not as prepared as we probably should have been to keep 7 little kids occupied for a long service. 

Grrrr....

I was in and out of the chapel trying my best to keep him and Noelle quiet.  It was stressful. But Rinar's eulogy was lovely and then Raef and Zach played a violin/viola duet with Norma accompanying on the piano. They played Lynn's favorite song, "Consider the Lilies".  I was very proud of them. It was beautiful and heartfelt. They even had it memorized. That was probably because I can be a bit of a slave driver.

Aislinn read a beautiful poem that she wrote, and Lani and Nordel spoke for a few minutes. Linda sang an original song with her sisters. Then Lyf gave a wonderful talk that I don't think I will ever forget. He is a master storyteller. I was inspired. He finished up by singing a song that he had written for his dad. And he sang the whole thing without crying. That was amazing!

I was really impressed with how much people loved Lynn. Don't get me wrong, I love him and I am so thankful that I knew him. He has been a fixture in my life. But I realized even more how much of an impact he had on his family. And the most important thing is that all five of his children revere him and love him deeply. I think that really says a lot about him. I hope that I can be like him in the sense that my kids know that I always love them and even if they are struggling I will be their biggest cheerleader and love them no matter what. Lynn exemplified this.

There was a luncheon for the family immediately following the service. And of course, there were funeral potatoes, a Mormon staple!

Rinar was able to spend a little bit of time with his two best childhood friends: Damon and Tyler. A funeral service is a blessing in this way. We can reconnect with the people we love.

After lunch, we headed to the grave site in Hurricane. Linda's brother Richard dedicated the grave and we said our goodbyes. Linda's siblings sang "Aloha Oe'" spontaneously, both at the funeral service and at the grave site. It was very moving.

"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die the world cries and you rejoice."

~ Native American Proverb

Yes, he certainly did that. 

One of my goals in life is to have a huge funeral. I mean that I hope I have lived my life in such a way that people will want to come to my funeral and celebrate my life, that I made an impact in this world, that I did all that I could to serve God and to serve man. But I especially want a funeral that is full of my posterity and that they will grieve for me and miss me, just like Rinar's dad. It is a worthy goal and I hope I can accomplish it. I will do my best.

A Coffin

"I just want to be buried in a pine box under a pine tree." 

This was an oft made request from Rinar's dad to his kids. Amazingly enough, Rinar's older brother Lyf is a guy who gets stuff done and he has the skills to do it. He told his dad that he could build him a box.

And that is what he has done.  Lyf's father-in-law has some property and there were a few felled cedar trees. Yes, Lyf actually milled the planks from the cedar trees on his family's property. I am just blown away. He started working on it in the days leading up to Lynn's death. Rinar was able to help him some with the cutting and planing, but this was really Lyf's labor of love.

Are you blown away? I am!

This is one of the reasons that the funeral was scheduled a week from his death. Lyf needed enough time to finish the coffin. And he did.

In addition, the cost of a funeral is absolutely staggering, especially if you do not have insurance for it. What a blessing for his mother. She has amazing children who will do anything to ease her burdens, including building a 'pine box' to go under a pine tree. The total cost was about $30 for the stain and finishing stuff, instead of $2000 for an impersonal casket.

He carved a love note on the bottom of the coffin. "I made this for you Dad. Love, your son Lyf.

The funeral is tomorrow. There will be a lot of tears shed and love expressed.

Obituary

Lynn, beloved husband and father, age 70, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on January 23, 2014. He was born on April 5,1943 in Ruth, Nevada, to Harry Clayton and Erma Anderson Erickson.

While serving an LDS mission in Denmark, he met the love of his life, Linda, who was also serving a mission. They were married in the Laie, Hawaii Temple on December 27, 1968. Their 45 years of wonderful marriage produced 5 children and 22 grandchildren with one great-grand child on the way.

Lynn was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served faithfully in many callings but the one he enjoyed the most was working with the youth in the scouting program. He was honored with The Silver Beaver award for his devoted time, and all three of his sons are Eagle Scouts.

Lynn enjoyed books and reading and worked as the Reference Librarian at the Santa Clara library. He loved to teach. In addition, he had a beautiful singing voice and participated in many musical performances. He loved the outdoors; hunting, fishing, and camping with his family. He also had a passion for exploring, mining, and archeology with his brother.

We are grateful and blessed for the example he set, the love he shared and the lessons he taught. We will miss him dearly and we know he is with his Heavenly Father.

Lynn is survived by his wife Linda, his children Lyf (Angie) Erickson, Leilani (Jeff) Houston, Rinar (Kelly) Erickson, Nordel (Brooke) Erickson, Aislinn Erickson and his brother, Einar Erickson.  He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Verena and Elisabeth.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 11 am in the LDS chapel at 550 East 700 South, St. George, UT. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 9:30-10:45 at the church. Interment will be in the Hurricane Cemetery under the direction of McMillan Mortuary.