Ludean Eriksen

Heaven became brighter on Thursday, March 29, 2012, when LuDean Christensen Eriksen, 92, a longtime resident of Pocatello, peacefully passed away at a local care facility. She was born at home October 12, 1919, in Cambridge, Idaho, also known locally as "Hog Hollow" located 4 1/2 miles northeast of Virginia, the 11th child of Soren Albert Christensen and Phoebe Mette Bowman Christensen. When her mother died suddenly from a cerebral hemorrhage, LuDean was only 8 years old. She lived with various family members while attending school, and was highly motivated by academics, receiving 8 years of education at East Virginia School District #45, continuing with 4 years of high school at Downey, where she was active in Girls Athletics and basketball. It was during this time that she met Warren Croshaw Eriksen. After attending the University of Idaho, Southern Branch at Pocatello, they were married, January 13, 1940. From this blessed union 3 sons were born: Tim Warren, Stephan C., and Kristopher Kevin. Warren nurtured LuDean's appetite for competition, encouraging her to become active in the community and politics. She worked diligently in local and statewide politics becoming the Vice-chairman of Bannock County Democratic Central Committee, Chairman of the Bannock County Democratic Central Committee, President of the Bannock County Democratic Women's Club, Precinct Committeeman, State Committee Woman, Secretary Idaho Fifth District Citizens for Senator J.F. Kennedy, where she managed his campaign in the Rocky Mt. Region. LuDean became a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. She had worked on campaigns for Adlai Stevenson, Estes Kefauver, Hubert Humphrey, Ralph Harding, met with President Harry Truman, Eleanor Roosevelt., and helped Frank Church establish the first Senior Citizens Center in Idaho, in Pocatello. Throughout her political career, she worked as a Social worker for the Bannock County Welfare Dept., Bannock County Community Center, Board of Directors & Trustee of the Bannock Memorial Hospital, Assistant Chairman Junior Division County Fair Board, Chairman of Bannock County Fair Board, Co-chairman of the American Heart Association, Officer in the PTA, Committee Chairman for Problems of the Aged. Her work includes: Union Pacific Railroad in Ogden, Pocatello Drug Co., Mutual Fund Brokerage, Idaho Investment Corporation, Anschell Marketing Research, Brook's Research Associates, Department of Commerce. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, LuDean won the Individual Award, young Women's Mutual Improvement Association. Her activities have been acknowledged in "Who's Who in American Politics", "Community Leaders of America", "The National Register of Prominent Americans", "Personalities of the West and Midwest", "Outstanding Women in American", and "Who's Who of American Women". LuDean and Warren were renowned for participating in chariot races, raising and racing Quarter Horses and thoroughbreds. They grew beautiful flowers and hybrids of Iris, Gladiolas, and Dahlias, furnished flowers to the local florists, showed their best arrangements at the fair winning numerous blue ribbons, and "best of show." LuDean's expertise led her to become a certified judge at flower shows around the state. LuDean was preceded in death by her 6 brothers: Irvin, Ralph, Albert, Milo, Ruel, and Boyd Christensen; 4 sisters: Millie Bennett, Phoebe Denny, twins, Gladys Evans and Gertude Hatch., and a much beloved grandson, Kristopher Eriksen. She is survived by her husband of 72 years, Warren Croshaw Erikson; Sons: Tim W. (Patricia), Soda Springs, ID., Stephan C., Pocatello, ID., and Kevin (Debbie), Lewiston, ID; Grandchildren: Donald T. Eriksen, Salt Lake City, UT; Yolanda S. Eriksen, Folsom, CA., Shiela E. (Scott) Owen, Pocatello, ID., Tyler Jeron Eriksen, Boise, ID.; Great-grandchildren: Weston Eriksen, Kaleb, Emma, Wil and Sam Pueblo, Brittney Owen (Brandon) Hjelseth, and Nickolas Owen. The family gratefully acknowledges the staff at Quail Ridge Assisted Living for their loving care. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. in the LDS Ward Chapel, 1700 Kinghorn Rd, Pocatello. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4th Ave, Pocatello, and at the church from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Interment will follow the services at Restlawn Memorial Gardens.