Celebrating Mary Erickson’s 35 years at Lakewood

On her last day at Lakewood on Sept. 18, Mary Erickson, RN, still found time to do a little work. After 35 years of caring for patients and helping coworkers, it was hard for her to sit still.

“I like to stay busy. There’s always something to do. It’s just the way I am,” she said with a laugh.

Mary’s path to nursing began when she was about 5 years old. She remembers watching a television show with a nurse and doctor. “I think it was Marcus Welby,” she recalled, then telling her mom, “I want to be a nurse.” Years later, when Mary was considering her next step in life, her mom reminded her of that childhood dream.

Mary worked her way from nursing aide to LPN to RN. When marriage brought her to the Staples area, she joined Lakewood Health System. At home, life was just as full. Mary and her husband adopted three children, and she helped with their dairy farm near Sebeka while building her nursing career. Between family, farm chores and work, there was seldom much time to sit still.

Over the years, she cared for patients in several areas, including Med-Surg, the Emergency Department and Outpatient Services. She helped build Lakewood’s outpatient work as it grew, taking on the role when a director told her, “Mary, I want you to do this, because I know you can.”

That trust became a hallmark of Mary’s career. Patients could count on her familiar, steady presence. Coworkers knew they could come to her with a question, especially when they were new or facing an unfamiliar situation.

“I was able to be in all the nurses’ lives and help them out and have them grow,” Mary said of what makes her proudest. Just as meaningful were the friendships she built along the way. Working beside people who relied on one another made Lakewood feel, in her words, like “a comfortable home.”

Mary brought plenty of humor to that home, too. Though nursing changed in countless ways during her career, she admitted she still preferred paper charting to computers. She joked that she had threatened to break one before she retired. “I never did,” she said with a chuckle.

Lakewood President and CEO Lisa Bjerga said Mary’s personality and dedication will be greatly missed.

“Mary is truly one of a kind. For 35 years, she has brought her heart, her humor, and that wonderful little spitfire personality to Lakewood every single day. It’s people like Mary who make Lakewood what it is — not just a great place to receive care, but a great place to work. We are going to miss her energy, her dedication, and simply having her here. We are beyond grateful for all she has given to Lakewood and wish her nothing but happiness and fun in this very well-earned retirement!”

After her final shift, coworkers gathered to celebrate Mary at Holst Acres in Staples. She is looking forward to seeing more of her children and five grandchildren, more time outdoors and, she hopes, a trip to Hawaii.

Looking back, Mary put her Lakewood years simply: “I have enjoyed it all since I came here."

On her last day, Mary Erickson is surrounded by her Med-Surg team members and Lisa Bjerga, President & CEO (at left, kneeling).