Obituary for Marie Pike | Helgeson Funeral Home, Roseau, MN
- Date Of Death: March 2, 2007
- State: Minnesota
Marie Pike, the daughter of Mary (Roseen) and Peter O. Nelson, was born on April 11, 1921 in Stafford Township of Roseau County, Minnesota. She passed away at her daughter’s home on March 2, 2007 at the age of 85. Marie will be remembered for her strong faith, will, love of family, home, beauty of words and gardening. Marie honored her Lord with her beautiful soprano voice and sang many trios with her sisters and niece in her church and in others. Marie felt a strong sense of loyalty to and pride in her parents, husband, daughter, brothers, sisters and their families. Living on and maintaining the “home-place” where she was born and lived all of her life was of special joy to her. This Swedish homestead of yellows, blues and reds with the traditional Swedish summer kitchen was also part of who she was. Whenever anyone drove into the yard, coffee and “lunch” were put on the table. Marie was especially devoted to her husband and daughter and her family and gave of herself to make their lives sweeter. For example, the best cuts of meats, the choicest raspberries, potatoes, etc… were saved until all of her family was home. She made home “Home” in the true sense of the word. As a child and throughout all of her life, she loved poetry. In country school, she copied long poems which she put into booklets and delighted in rereading them throughout the years. Her favorite poems were about home, heaven and love of country. Poems could be found on the refrigerator, in frames, propped against vases or anywhere she could see them. Marie appreciated the beauty in well-written words. She had a lot of “drive” for all she had to do. “If you’re going to do it – do it right!” was one of her life mottos. Maintaining her home, yard and vegetable garden were strong focuses. Being an excellent gardener, she found many rewards in planting and harvesting. Her strong, independent, loving spirit will be remembered by all who knew her. In the words of a close friend of her daughter, she will be remembered for her “Swedish loving arms.” She is survived by her daughter, RLou (Edward) Sprecher of Roseau; grandson, John-Paul (Paula) Sprecher of Thief River Falls; great-grandchildren, Victorya and Peter; sisters, Mildred Olson of Roseau, Ruth (Clayton) Erickson of Roseau and Della Anderson of Roseau; and brother-in-law Francis (Doris) Pike of Spokane, WA.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Anna; birth-mother, Mary; husband, Elbridge in 2005; five brothers, Oscar, Albert, Willie, Emil and Alfred; and three sisters, Selma, Alice, and Edith.