Julia Schlaht

Julia Schlaht, 101, died Saturday, June 28, 2008 at Hi-Acres Manor Nursing Home, Jamestown.

Julia Erickson was born June 2, 1907, in Noble Township, Cass County, North Dakota, the daughter of Halvor and Jennie (Olson) Erickson. She attended rural school through 8th grade and graduated from Gardner High School as valedictorian. She attended Valley City Teachers College where she received her teaching certificate. She then taught in Cass County and finally at Cleveland, ND.

She married John Schlaht October 9, 1929. They farmed through the depression and then in 1938 moved to Jamestown. He died May 24, 1958. During WWII she taught at Washington school, Jamestown, at a federally sponsored pre-school for children whose parents were either in service or other war work.

Through work at Valley City State College and Anne Carlsen School she received her certificate in special education and she played a large part in bringing special education to North Dakota. She received a Mayors certificate of Award for her work in that field.

She was a master gardner and was employed at Berge's greenhouse for several years. She maintained beautiful floral gardens at her own places of residence and was often known as the ""flower lady"", winning many awards on local & state levels. Twice her yard was on annual A.A.U.W. garden tours and open to the many visitors that stopped by.

A world traveler she had visited all 50 states and 6 continents compiling a slide library of travelogues, catalogued, with accompaning stories and facts she has shared with schools and others.

She became interested in all aspects of her Norwegian heritage and began teaching the language and the old folk dances dating back to the era of the Vikings. Her class of dancers achieved top honors in the Culture and Heritage programs prepared by the International Board of Sons of Norway.

A long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church she had known every pastor since the church was organized in 1911. She was historian for 35 years, past president of the church women and circle president of the Gardenette circle for many years. She was a life member of the Prairie Rose Garden Club; the last charter member and past president of the local united of Stutsman County Retired Teachers organized in 1965; honorary life member of the NDEA; past president and life member of Sons of Norway and in 1972 was named International president of the year, having served on many committees at the District 4 level and international conventions.

She did volunteer work at local nursing homes and each year took her Folk dancers to entertain the residents.

She loved hearing and telling Norwegian jokes.

Julia is survived by her daughter, Gloria (Ernest) Mohaupt, three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; son, Gary; three sisters, Selma Erickson, Ethel Dullum and Mable Linstaedt. She was the last remaining member of her family both in the US and Norway.

Funeral Service: 10:30AM, Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Jamestown.

Visitation: 1:00PM - 8:00PM, Monday, June 30, 2008 at Eddy Funeral Home.

Burial: Highland Home Cemetery, Jamestown, North Dakota.