ImaLee Lucille Erickson

ImaLee Lucille Erickson, age 93, of Boone, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone.

Born on June 14, 1932, in Grinnell, Kansas, the daughter of Edward and Goldie (Maish) Bechard. Born during the Dust Bowl, ImaLee moved with her family to Nebraska City, Nebraska, at age two, and later to Prescott, Iowa. At age seven, her family relocated northwest of Perry, Iowa. She attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School, riding her bicycle to school for three years.

Her family later moved to a farm near Grand Junction, her junior high years were split between Catholic school and public school. The family moved to Beaver, Iowa, where she completed her 8th-grade education. She returned to Grand Junction in 1946 and graduated from high school in 1950. Following high school, she attended Fort Dodge Tobin Business College.

While in Fort Dodge, ImaLee met her future husband, LaVerne Weldon Erickson, while attending a dance at the Laramar Ballroom. Shortly after, LaVerne was drafted into the Korean War, reporting to Camp Carson, Colorado, where they were married on September 28, 1951. Their first child was born in 1952, while LaVerne was deployed. When he returned, they built a life on a farm in Webster City, raising their children. In 1970, they moved to a farm in Grand Junction and continued farming until retiring to Boone, Iowa, in 2001.

ImaLee was actively involved in local organizations. She dedicated her time as a 4-H Leader and spent 20 years teaching CCD classes. She served as a church organist for 20 years. ImaLee was an avid quilter, enjoyed playing bridge, and was a devoted member of St. Thomas Aquinas (Webster City), St. Brigids, and Sacred Heart parishes. Above all, she cherished the time spent with her family.

She is survived by her daughter, Debi (Bill) Strong of Charlottesville, Virginia; her four sons: Tom (Sandy) Erickson of Williamsburg, Iowa; John (Tonee) Erickson of Lincoln, Nebraska; Alan (Dee) Erickson of Castle Rock, Colorado; and Gary Erickson of Tallahassee, Florida, 15 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Goldie Bechard; her beloved husband, LaVerne Erickson; son, Danny Erickson; daughter, Diana Erickson; granddaughter, Jennifer Azinger; and brother, Eldred Bechard.

A visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boone. Interment will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Grand Junction, Iowa. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.