ERICKSON: Clara Ellen (nee Imsland) age 86, of Swift Current and formerly of Simmie, passed away on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at the Palliser Regional Care Centre. Clara was born on April 14, 1926, in Scottville, Illinois to Julia & Chris Imsland. She immigrated with her parents and her half-brother, Russell Carveth, to Canada on May 16, 1928. They lived in the Vesper area where her sister, Christina was born. All attended the Bissell School. On October 10, 1944, she married Kalmer Erickson, from the Early School District where they farmed on the Erickson homestead. In 1988, they retired and moved to Swift Current. Clara had many passions in life. Learning was important to her and she encouraged and supported her family to do so as well. She went to Business School in Calgary in 1945. She taught at the Early School for one year. When her children were small she completed her Grade 12 education by correspondence. Later on, she took bookkeeping and worked at the Simmie Locker Plant. She was particularly interested in history, geography & genealogy. Clara loved to travel, venturing throughout Canada, the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand & Fiji. She particularly enjoyed the opportunity to meet distant relatives in Norway and trace the journey of her parents’ lives in Illinois, prior to their move to Canada. Her family was important to her and she was always communicating with them and the relatives near and far. Clara enjoyed writing letters and later on when she gained computer skills she would email. She spent hours searching various history, geography and genealogy web sites. Clara was active in the Lutheran Church: Bethesda (country church); Trinity (Simmie) & St. Olaf (Swift Current). She played the clarinet & often filled in as the "organist". She was a faithful member and often took a leadership role in the women's circles and Bible Studies serving in the positions of ELW Conference President and Sunday School Superintendent and teacher. She enjoyed sewing layettes and knitting baby sweaters for the Lutheran World Relief. She enjoyed puttering in her vegetable garden and took tremendous pride in growing her multi-coloured gladiolus and tiger-lilies. Clara is survived by Kalmer, her husband of 67 years; together they had five children: Sharon, Kay, Terry (Marilyn), Joanne (Gilles), predeceased by their son, Kevin and grandson, Dean; survived by her grandchildren: Lenae, Shawn, Jason (Sherry), Cory (Shelley), Nels, and Kirsten (Nadime); her great-grandchildren: Avary and Bryn, Matthew (Angela) and Mikhail; her sister, Christina’s (Albert) family: Roberta, Michele, Melanie and their families; and her half brother, Russell’s family: Lucille and Raymond; her brother-in-law, Arnold (Jackie) and sons: Wayne, Rick and their families; and her niece, Diane and family. Clara was predeceased by her sister, Christina and her daughter, Judy; half brother, Russell, his wife Laura and their son Cecil; brother-in-law, Milton and his wife, Ina. Clara lived a long and full life and will be deeply missed by her family and friends and all those that she met throughout her life's journey. The Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at 1:30pm, from the St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Swift Current, SK, with Pastor Linda Hall officiating. The organist for the service was Arlie Neufeld with scriptures read by Joanne Erickson. Soloist selections were brought by Conrad Sandberg and by Joyce Olsen, with Shelley Wong providing a musical selection. The eulogy was read by Terry Erickson and words of remembrance were shared by Kay Smandych. The ushers in the church were Vern Olson and Georgia Bratvold with the Esther Circle Group served as Honorary Pallbearers. The Interment Service was held at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Simmie, SK, with the following serving as pallbearers, Bill Rouse, Everett Peterson, Randy Currence, Keith Bratvold, Cory Smandych, Garth Morstad, Rick Erickson and David Weiseth. In Clara’s memory, donations made to the St. Olaf Lutheran Church Memorial Fund would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.