Marion O. Waldera, 92, of Eau Claire died Friday, February 19, 2010, at Syverson Lutheran Home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in the Town of Irving, Jackson County, near Black River Falls on   March 1, 1917, a daughter of Christopher and Bertha (Nelson) Erickson.

Marion married Ernest J. Waldera Sr. on May 18, 1948, in Stillwater, MN.

They were the owners of Ernie and Marion’s Bar on Putnam Street in Eau Claire

She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.

Marion had a terrific spirit and was happiest when she was helping other people. She was very loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

Marion is survived by her five children, Sherri Hassemer of Eau Claire, Benjamin (Kris) Hawke of Chippewa Falls, Janice Smith Eau Claire, Ernest “Joe” (Dorri) Waldera Jr. of New Auburn, and Mary Brown of Eau Claire; 23 grandchildren, Tony, Cindy, Jay, Krista, Shayne, Ericka, Danielle, Jeremy, Jodi, Nikki, Ryan, Jason, Joshua, Jacob, Joseph, Naomi, Andrew, Amber, Aaron, Dustin, Alexis, Kristian, and Kaci; 32 great grandchildren; one great-great grandson; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest in 1986; six brothers, Forrest, Victor, Elmer, Ernest, Thomas, and Douglas, Erickson; five sisters, Mary, Myrtle, Edna, Dorothy, and Alma; and a great-great grandson, Nikolai Smith. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Rolf A. Nestingen officiating. Burial will be in Lutheran Church Cemetery in Eau Claire. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave., Eau Claire, and one hour prior to services Tuesday at the church.