Margaret Erskine, 95

Margaret Valeria (Bowers) Erskine, 95, died February 3, 2010 at Knute Nelson.

Margaret was born April 1, 1914 to Philip Benjamin “Ben” and Katherine “Katie” (Ley) Bowers in Alexandria. She graduated from Alexandria High School in 1932. While in high school she belonged to the High School Drum and Bugle Corps. They traveled in Minnesota and Iowa at different times during the summer to promote Alexandria. She spent her summers with her parents and sister on Lake Cowdry, where her parents had a lake home.

After graduation she worked in the office of J.C. Penney until she married Lucian “Luke” Erskine Jr. To this union the couple was blessed with four daughters, Carol, Holly, Mimi and Katy. They lived in Winona, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Iowa City, Iowa and retired to Sun Lakes, Arizona in the winters and Alexandria in the summers. They moved to Alexandria permanently in 1995, where Luke passed away.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband in all 50 states, a month in Spain and Portugal and six weeks in Great Britain and 11 countries in Europe. Margaret enjoyed taking rides around the lakes and stopping at the Dairy Queen. Most of all, Margaret cherished and enjoyed being with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughters, Holly (Steve) Hirko of Coralville, IA, Marilyn “Mimi” (Jim) McCarragher of Coralville, IA, Katherine “Katy” (Mike) Moore of New Hope; son-in-law, Tom Bull of Moline, IL; 10 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren; sister, Barbara (Winston) Darkow of Wasilla, AK; nephew, Adrian Darkow of Wasilla, AK and niece, Jeanne (Jerry) South of Eagle River, AK.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Katie; husband, Lucian; daughter, Carol; and infant sister, Phyllis.

A memorial service was held Saturday, February 6 at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria with the Rev. James Oakland officiating. Music was provided by Kim Byrne. Inurnment will be held in the Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. Honorary urn bearers were all of Margaret’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Memorials can be sent to Douglas County Hospice.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

A00009B2010FB10

Tags: margaret erskine, obituaries, erskine

Sign the guestbook

Comments posted on this page do not reflect opinions of Forum Communications Company. Forum Communications Company does not endorse and is not responsible for any statement, opinion, advice given or made. All replies are subject to approval and must follow Forum Communications Company guidelines concerning statements of libel, personal attacks or defamation of character. Replies in the "Talk About It" section that criticize a person by name may not be posted, unless that person is openly involved in a public issue. Comments written in all capital letters or bold print will not be considered for inclusion in the forum.

Terms & Conditions