Charlotte Erickson

Charlotte Erickson, age 92 of Yankton, SD passed away Sunday, December 7, 2025 at Angelhaus West, Yankton, SD. Charlotte’s memorial service will be 11:00 am, Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton with Rev. Jeff Otterman officiating. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church. A private family graveside service will take place at Bluff View Cemetery in Vermillion, SD. Online condolences may be sent at www.okfhc.com. Livestreaming of Charlotte’s memorial service can be viewed at https://server.attend.live/static/event/pY9Zr.

Charlotte Ann (Ahlgrim) Erickson was born June 22, 1933 in Vermillion, SD to Ellery and Evelyn (Walz) Ahlgrim. Charlotte grew up in Vermillion and graduated from Vermillion High School in 1951. After graduation, Charlotte attended the University of South Dakota where she joined the Alpha Phi Sorority and obtained her teaching certificate.

On June 19, 1955 she married her long-time classmate, friend and fellow homecoming VHS royalty; Richard (Dutch) Erickson at the First Baptist Church in Vermillion.

Charlotte began her professional career teaching first grade for two years in Hawarden, Iowa. After marrying and moving to Hastings, Nebraska she taught second grade for two more years. Charlotte also tutored children for 17 years in the Sioux Falls School District at Lowell, Mark Twain and Laura Wilder elementary schools.

She made many happy homes following her husband’s careers throughout the Midwest. They lived in Hastings, Pender and South Sioux City, Nebraska; Sioux Falls, SD; and Shawnee, KS. Upon Dutch’s retirement in 1994 they moved to Yankton, SD to be closer to family.

Charlotte was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Dorcas Circle, P.E.O. and the Center. She loved the competition and conversations had while playing Bridge, Mah Jong, Dominoes and all other games with friends and relatives. She volunteered for her church, Meals on Wheels, Sacred Heart Hospital, and visiting elderly friends and family. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brothers, Harold Ahlgrim and his wife Jean and Howard Ahlgrim. She is also preceded by all of her Erickson in-laws except Beverly (Melvin-Bud) Erickson, and several nieces and nephews.

Charlotte is survived by her two sons, Richard (Lynette) of Yankton, SD, Ron (Rhonda) of Spearfish, SD. Her grandchildren: Trey (Hannah) Erickson of Elk River, MN, MaryChar (Nate) Bertsch of Buckley, WA, Scott (Kone) Erickson of Olympia, WA, Sonja (Mitch) Kraft of Spearfish, SD. Nine great-grandchildren: Evelyn, Edith, Ernest, Eleanor Erickson, Mo, Millie and Bennett Bertsch and Arbin and Vivian Kraft. Charlotte is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.