1.JohnErich GustavOhlsson, born 28 Mar 1909 in Stordalen (Abisko), Jukkasjärvi, Norrbotten, Sweden; died 10 Feb 2004 in ICMCF, Crystal Falls, Iron, MI. He was the son of 2. BerntAntonOhlsson and 3. JuliaKristinaKarlsson. He married (1) ElinSoderquist 28 Nov 1934 in Iron River, Iron, MI. She was born 25 Dec 1913 in Soderquist Farm, Bates Twp., Iron, MI, and died 7 Jul 2001 in ICMC, Crystal Falls, Iron, MI. She was the daughter of John Emil Soderquist and Ester Elisabeth Andersdotter.
Notes for John Erich Gustav Ohlsson:
JOHN ERICH OHLSSON, age 94, of Bates Township, died Tuesday (Feb. 10) at the Iron County Medical Care Facility.
He was born March 28, 1909 in Abisko, Sweden, the son of the late Bernt and Julia (Karlsson) Ohlsson. He grew up and attended school in northern Sweden and technical school in Stockholm. He worked for the railroad and telephone companies in Sweden prior to coming to the United States at the age of 19 in March of 1929 He settled in the local area and first worked at the Berkshire Mine and then in the area CCC Camps. He worked at the Hiawatha Mine for 5 years and then became self employed as a carpenter during which time he helped build the first grandstand at the Iron County Fairgrounds, water towers, and several local homes. In 1953 he became employed as a carpenter at the Homer-Wauseca Mine until the mine closed. He then worked as a carpenter for various local contractors until his retirement.
On November 23, 1934 he married the former Elin Soderquist and the couple made their home in Bates Township where they raised four children and two foster children. They enjoyed traveling throughout the country and made return trips to Sweden. She preceded him in death on July 7, 2001.
Erich was an active member of the First Lutheran Church in Iron River where he had served on the church council and sang in the choir. He had served as a Justice of the Peace for Bates Township and on the Bates Township Board of Review. He was also a member of the Crystal Falls-Iron River Masonic Lodge and the Scandinavian Lodge.
He was active with the Iron County Museum and Historical Society and often sang songs in Swedish for the St. Lucia and Mid-Summer programs. He and his wife also taught community Swedish classes for several years.
Erich enjoyed playing the piano and accordian, singing, skiing, yard work, cutting wood, reading, telling stories, and visiting with family and friends.
In addition to his wife, Erich was preceded in death by a grandson Jakob Ohlsson, a brother and two sisters in Sweden.
He is survived by:
1 Daughter - Karen Blank
3 Sons - Dr. John Allan (Lois) Ohlsson, Dr. Karl (Karen) Ohlsson, and Wayne (Janice) Ohlsson
7 Grandchildren - Don (Merrily), Kurt (Kim), Kerstin, Kristofer, Sonya, and Jeff and Sheri Blank.
10 Great grandchildren
1 Brother - Birger Fergell of Sweden
A sister-in-law - Mildred Soderquist
Two nieces, two nephews, and several cousins also survive.
There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the First Lutheran Church in Iron River. The Rev. Dr. Arthur Puotinen, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Bates Cemetery.
The family suggests that memorials can be made to the First Lutheran Church or the Iron County Museum.
Family and friends may share memories or leave messages of sympathy in the family's online guestbook at www.langenbergfuneralhome.com
The Langenberg Funeral Home - Iron River Chapel is serving the family.
More About John Erich Gustav Ohlsson:
Cause of Death: dementia, poss. alzheimers
Emigration: 23 Feb 1929, on the ship "Gripsholm" to New York City and then to Iron River, MI via Chicago
Immigration: 5 Mar 1929, in New York City - destination, Iron River, MI
Note: Age 94 years, 10 months, 17 days at death
Occupation: carpenter and miner
Removed: Nov 2000, to ICMCF in Crystal Falls
Notes for Elin Soderquist:
Elin Ohlsson, 87, a lifelong resident of Bates Twp, died Saturday, July 7, 2110, at the Iron County Medical Care Facility.
She was born Dec. 25, 1913, at the family home at Sunset Lake, the daughter of the late John Emil and Ester (Andersson) Soderquist. She attended the former Sunset Lake and Rogers schools and graduated from Iron River High School in 1931.
While in high school, she was a member of various 4-H clubs and the school band, and once had the honor of being part of a band conducted by John Phillip Sousa.
Following her graduation, she worked under the ERA program for a time, and briefly worked as a nanny and housekeeper in Evanston, Ill.
On Nov. 23, 1934, she married Erich Ohlsson, formerly of Sweden and the couple made their home in Bates Twp, where they raised four children and two foster children.
Elin was an active member of First Lutheran Church, where she was confirmed in 1930. She belonged to the Lutheran Church Women and the Priscilla Circle, the Altar Guild, and was a former Sunday School teacher and secretary.
For many years, she was active at the Iron County Museum, especially the St. Lucia and Scandinavian Midsummer Day programs. She also taught a community Swedish class with her husband.
Over the years, she enjoyed baking, picking berries, reading, some needlework, skiing, and visiting with family and friends. She also enjoyed traveling throughout the country and made two trips to Sweden with her husband.
In additon to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a brother, Chester Soderquist.
She is survived by her husband; a daughter, Karen Blank; three sons, John Allan (Lois) ohlsson, Karl (Karen) Ohlsson, and Wayne (Janice) Ohlsson; eight grandchildren, Don (Merrily), Kurt (Kim), Kerstin, Kristofer, Sonya and Jakob Ohlsson, Jeff and Sheri Blank; nine great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Mildred Soderquist; two nieces; two nephews; and several cousins.
Visitation will be held Friday July 13 at 11 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church. The Rev. Thomas Wickstrom, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Bates Twp. Cemetery.
Organist Ralph Valine will accompany soloist Myrna Cook.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the First Lutheran Church in Iron River.
The Langenberg Funeral Home - Iron River Chapel is serving the family.
More About Elin Soderquist:
AKA (Facts Pg): Elin Hildur Soderquist
Burial: Bates Cemetery
Note: Age 87 at death
More About John Ohlsson and Elin Soderquist:
Marriage: 28 Nov 1934, Iron River, Iron, MI
