Obituary - Posted: 12/26/07
Miriam Evalyn Erwin
Miriam Evalyn Erwin (nee Sheldon), 98, formerly of Caledonia, passed away Tuesday, December 25, 2007, at Lake Winona Manor, Winona.
Miriam was born in Pine Island, November 25, 1909, the oldest child of D.C. and Bessie (Churchill) Sheldon.
Raised in Pine Island, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Carleton College in 1931 with a degree in romance languages. In 1935, Miriam was united in marriage with Ben "Ted" Erwin. After briefly living in Winona and La Crescent, they made their home in Caledonia and lived there together for more than 50 years, unti his death in 1989. She worked for Lloyd Duxbury as a legal secretary and Les Joerg as an accounting secretary, and then became the bookkeeper for Ben Erwin and Son Construction. In the early 60's, Miriam went back to school, obtained a teaching degree from Winona State University and then taught elementary school in Rushford and Caledonia until the mid 70's.
She is survived by three sons, Richard (Christine) Erwin of Price, Utah, Dr. James (Gretchen) Erwin of Winona, and Steve (Peggy) Erwin of Plainview, Minn.; a daughter, Dr. Carol Erwin of Brownsville, Texas; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and one brother-in-law.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted; children, Janet Louise Erwin (1950), Dr. Bette Jane Erwin (2006); three brothers, Delavan, Allen, and Harold Sheldon; and a sister, Virginia Weiss.
Funeral services will be Friday, December 28, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at Caledonia United Methodist Church. Pastor Sharon Goetzinger will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call at Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, Caledonia, on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials preferred to Caledonia United Methodist Church or Lake Winona Manor.
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