Elaine Laura Ericson

Elaine Laura Ericson, 75, died January 10, 2016 at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines, IA. Services will be held Saturday, January 23 at 11:00 a.m. at West Des Moines United Methodist Church, 720 Grand Avenue in West Des Moines, IA. Visitation will be held Friday, January 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Elaine graciously donated her body for scientific research and her cremated remains will later be laid to rest at North Lawn Cemetery in Fort Dodge, IA.

Elaine was born June 15, 1940 in Rochester, NY to Ellen (Pfrommer) and Michael Stark. She graduated from Irondequoit High School, Baldwin Wallace College with her Bachelor’s Degree, and the University of Iowa with her Master’s Degree in Special Education. Elaine served as a teacher in several schools within the Des Moines Public School system including Douglass Learning Center, McCombs Junior High, North High School, East High School, and Central Campus. Elaine taught in Iowa for 33 years before retiring in 2004.

In her spare time, Elaine also worked at Younkers, and was a volunteer at the Civic Center. She enjoyed gardening, spending time at the family cabin in Lake Okoboji, traveling with friends and family, camping, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She supported both Iowa and Iowa State athletic events. Elaine was a spirited and kind woman with a heart of gold.

She will be greatly missed by her children, Sue (Todd) Bransky, John (Jenny) Ericson, Wendy Ericson, and James Ericson; and five grandchildren. Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Denton Ericson; her brother, Robert Stark, and her parents.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Ovarian Cancer Research, Unity Point Hospice, or Lake Okoboji United Methodist Camp. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.


If you can’t be a tree on the top of the hill
Be a shrub in the valley, but be
The best little shrub on the side of the rill.
Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.
We can’t all be captains – there’s got to be a crew,
There’s something for all of us here.
There are big things to do, and there’s lesser to do
And the task you must do is the near.
If you can’t be a highway, then just be a trail.
If you can’t be the sun, be a star.
It’s not in the job that you win or you fail
Be the best of whatever you are.

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