Lois Virginia (nee Bloomquist) Erikson, a resident of Reading for 59 years, died on March 6th, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. She was 89 years old. Born on December 11th, 1926 in New Britain, CT, she was the daughter of Anna J. (Kallberg) Bloomquist of New Britain, CT and Gustave A. Bloomquist, born in Nybro, Sweden.

Growing up in New Britain, Lois was an active member of the Luther League, the Jr. Mission Band and the Pioneer Club. She sang in the Children's Choir at the First Lutheran Church. When discussing her lifelong faith, she frequently shared the story of her father who had a death experience as a young man. Her father Gustave had apparently died on Easter Sunday at the age of 15. Gustave's brother was sent to the minister to announce his death, but Gustave was revived and, when he could speak, explained that he had seen the New Jerusalem, the golden streets, and that it was all so peaceful he had not wanted to return. Her father's experience contributed to her deep faith so that she never feared death herself.

During WWII, Lois was involved in a church effort to write letters to G.I.s to keep them in touch with the home community. After graduating from high school, Lois graduated from a 3-year program at Mass General Hospital School of Nursing where she organized a club for Christian nurses. Her service continued as President of the Luther League and, together with her devoted husband Erik, as advisor for the Luther League at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Roxbury for 7 years, and at Redeemer Lutheran in Woburn for 7 years.

During her decades-long membership at Redeemer, she taught Sunday school, directed and taught Vacation Bible School, and with her husband hosted a weekly home Bible Study for 40 years. Lois was also a charter member of the prayer tree to coordinate the daily prayers of Christians for those in need or in celebration of God's grace.
Lois enjoyed her term as the president of the Reading Garden Club and frequently said that God had graced her family with the best neighbors in the world, wonderful friends and a loving church family.

Lois was predeceased by her loving husband of 62 years, Erik. She was the devoted mother of Janet Ward and her husband James of San Rafael, CA; Karen Todd and her husband Kyle of North Reading and David Erikson and his wife Krista of Reading. She was the loving grandmother of J. Erik and his wife Emma, Steven, and Karen Ward; Erika and Kristen Todd; Erik, Joshua, David and Daniel Erikson. She was also blessed with many close relations and cousins.
Lois' recipe for life was:
Keep your eyes on Jesus
Take one day at a time
Have a sense of humor
Recently, Lois wrote down some notes reflecting on her life. She wrote, "Most important - proud wife, mother and grandmother." She underlined this twice.

A celebration of Lois' life will be held on Saturday, March 26th at 10am at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 60 Forest Park Road, Woburn MA. A gathering will be held at the church following the service from 11-1pm. Burial will follow at Forest Glen Cemetery in Reading.

Memorial gifts can be made out to the "Bloomquist/Erikson Fund" and sent to Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 60 Forest Park Road, Woburn MA 01801 or Council of Social Concern/Food pantry 2 Merrimac Street, Woburn, MA 01801

The purpose of the Bloomquist/Erikson Fund is Hunger, Disaster & Emergency Relief. Over many years, Lois was very proactive in requesting that the available proceeds from the fund be directed to specific important causes. This included the Nepal earthquake, hurricane Sandy and many other worthy causes. Donors can be assured that the earnings from their contributions will continue to be directed to important relief causes.