Gertrude Erickson, daughter of George Ernest & Katherine Margaret (Forssberg) Flanigan, was born October 21, 1920 on the family farm, 4 miles west of Phillipsburg. She passed away on June 1, 2019 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg, KS at the age of 98.

She was baptized at the Zion Lutheran Church in November of 1920. Gertrude attended District #43 grade school and graduated from Phillipsburg High School with the Class of 1939. Her parents couldn't afford to send her to college so Gertrude helped on the farm until September of 1939 when she went to work for the A.S.C.S. office. Her job was to measure every field in Phillips County off of aerial photos. During WWII, she took over the supervisor job until one of the men who worked there returned home. Gertrude worked there until 1947 when her mother passed away. She then went home to take care of her father & Fred. In 1951, Gertrude went to work for the transportation department at the COOP.

In 1967, Gertrude became manager of the Beloit Savings & Loan, which later became North Kansas Savings & Loan. She worked there until the fall of 1970.

On April 4, 1970, Gertrude was united in marriage to Vernon Erickson. Lois & Judy were still in school so Gertrude stayed on the farm so that she could spend time with them. It was at this time that Gertrude became a member of the Prairie View Reformed Church.

In 1992, the Prairie View Community Center was opened and Gertrude was asked to serve on the board of directors. She served as president of the board from 1999 until she retired in January of 2013.

On August 19, 2012, Gertrude fell & broke her hip. After her recovery, she moved to the assisted living facility in Logan, KS.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Vernon & her brother Fred Flanigan.

Survivors include her son Keith & wife Delores of Prairie View; her daughters, Gayla McCreery & husband Bob of Phillipsburg, Lois McBride & husband Paul of Bryan, TX & Judy Hein & husband Val of Castle Rock, CO; 11 grandchildren & 15 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 4, at 10:00 a.m. in the Prairie View Reformed Church, Prairie View, with Pastor Lew VanDerWege officiating. Burial will follow in the Luctor Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Church or the Prairie View Community Center.

Visitation will be from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. Monday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.