Former Austin, Minn., resident Dorothy Ardelle Erickson died Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, in Joplin, Mo. She was 96.

Ardelle was born to Arthur and Clara Stull on March 4, 1915. in Warren, Minn. She spent her childhood in Red Wing, Minn., graduating from high school there in 1933. After high school, she attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., and received her degree from the University of Minnesota in 1937.

Ardelle began a teaching career in Alexandria, Minn., after her college graduation. It was there she met her husband Lloyd Erickson. Lloyd and Ardelle were married in June of 1940. They moved from Alexandria to Little Falls, Minn., where they started a dry cleaning business. In 1954, the family moved to Sacred Heart, Minn., where they purchased a hardware business, and Ardelle taught English at the High School.

In 1960, the family moved to Austin after purchasing the Our Own Hardware business there. Ardelle became the Austin Senior High School librarian.

In the late 1970s, Ardelle and Lloyd returned to the family home on Lake Carlos in Alexandria. They resided there until 2001.

Ardelle’s husband, Lloyd, preceded her in death. She is survived by three children, Carol Martino (and husband Antonio) of Rome, Italy, Richard Erickson (and wife Nancy) of Peoria, Ill., Donald Erickson (and wife Stevana) of Pagosa Springs, Colo.; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Cremation has occurred, and an internment service will be held at a later date at the Kinkaid Cemetery in Alexandria.