Avalon Joan Okerson
July 17, 1929 ~ March 12, 2019
Age 89 formerly of Minneapolis. Beloved Sister & Aunt, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2019.
Preceded in death by sisters, Corrine (Arthur) Erickson Jones, Shirley Miller; niece, Kathe Onishi. Survived by sister, Lenore (Eugene) Wheeler; brother-in-laws, Harold Miller, Robert Jones; nieces & nephews, Daniel (Lisa) Wheeler, Bradley (Tracy) Wheeler, Scott (Lynda) Miller, Douglas (Heidi) Miller, Richard (Janet) Erickson, David (Joan) Erickson, Lee Erickson, Kay (Jeff) Kruse, Joan (Robert) Ruprecht. Avalon’s loving bond with her sisters and their love of music and their faith were the core of their lives.
A celebration of Avalon’s life 11 AM Tuesday March 26th with visitation one hour prior at Central Lutheran Church, 1103 School St NW, Elk River. Memorials preferred to Guardian Angels by the Lake or Central Lutheran Church.
Avalon was my grade school choir director at Trinity Lutheran Church of Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis in the late 50’s. She was insistent on a “good sound” but was always kind in her approach. Upon my high school graduation she encouraged me to attend Augsburg College and sing under Leland B Sateren, which I did for four years (1968-72). During those same years she served as the Secretary to Augsburg President Oscar Anderson. Avalon was happiest when she talked with the students of Augsburg. She continued to be kind, encouraging and always wanted to know what was going on in my life. I enjoyed those visits. Years later, when Avalon lived in Scandia, MN I stopped by for “tea,” and the years that had passed melted away. She was the same kind, encouraging person I’d always known. I will never forget her. What an incredibly strong woman with an equally strong faith. Blessed be her memory!
Family of Avalon Okerson: I was saddened this morning as I read about Avalon’s passing. As a colleague of hers during her longtime tenure at Augsburg University as President Oscar Anderson’s secretary, I will always remember her devotion to the mission of Augsburg, her unswerving loyalty to duty, and her devout Christian example. God bless her memory and her life! In loving memory, Boyd Koehler, Professor Emeritus, Augsburg University