Mary Janice Erick, 91, Everly

Funeral services for Mary Janice Erick were held Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer. Fr. Tim Hogan officiated. Casket bearers were her grandchildren. Interment was in North Lawn Memorial Park at Spencer. Warner Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Mary Janice Erick, the daughter of Henry and Mary Evelyn (Huss) Berberich, was born Jan. 25, 1930 in Royal. She received her early education in Royal, graduating in 1947. Following high school she attended Brandeis University School of Business in Omaha, Neb. for two years and received a degree. She then returned to Royal and worked at a bank.

On Nov. 19, 1949, Janice married William Erick at the St. Louis Catholic Church in Royal. The couple farmed in the Royal area. Janice enjoyed helping on the farm and raising her family. She liked gardening and tending to her flowers. Janice was active with St. Louis Catholic Church serving on numerous boards, and was involved in various women’s clubs in Royal. She liked to golf and was on a bowling league in her younger years.

The couple retired in 1986 and moved to Mesa, Ariz., where she held various jobs. She also spent a short time in Las Vegas, Nev. and then moved back to Mesa. In 2020, she moved back to Iowa, residing in Everly.

Janice passed away at the Spencer Hospital on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at the age of 91. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William, on Aug. 7, 2008; one son, Gordon Erick; and two daughters: Linda, in infancy, and Joni Bird.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Greg (Sharon) Erick, of Dickens; Larry (Lolita) Erick, of Phoenix, Ariz.; Mike (Penny) Erick, of Phoenix, Ariz.; Blaine Erick, of Everly; Jon (Judy) Erick, of Everly; and Lisa Whitcomb, of Everly; 24 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; three sisters: Joyce Thompson and JoAnn Fahnlander, of Royal; and Jean (Julian) Erickson, of Sacramento, Calif.; one brother, Jon (Shirley) Berberich, of Royal; one son-in-law, Dave Bird, of Bellevue, Neb.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.