Julia J. Erickson

1920 - 2020

Emma Julia Jenkins Erickson, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and cousin, returned to her Heavenly Father on December 12, 2020. The second of five children and the oldest daughter of Joseph Jenkins and Bessie Pearl Iverson Jenkins, Julia was born December 14, 1920 in Salem, Utah. She was named after her two grandmothers, Emma Taylor Jenkins and Julia Olsen Iverson, both converts to the LDS Church from England and Norway, respectively. Julia married Ross A. Erickson on January 31, 1955, one of seven proud grandchildren of Hilda A. Erickson, long celebrated as the last of Utah’s original pioneers. A statue of Hilda on horseback stands in Grantsville, Utah. Julia was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and proud of her pioneer heritage.

Julia and Ross had three daughters whom Julia referred to as “our three miracles.” She considered them her finest achievement.

Julia was a young girl during the Great Depression and she often said that what her family called the “Year from Hell” was entrenched in her very being. She was an honor graduate of South High School where she was a state-champion debater. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Utah where she was a member of Chi Delta Phi, National Honorary Literary Sorority. She took graduate classes at the University of Utah and also at Brigham Young University. She also attended LDS Business College where she received the 180 words-per-minute pin in shorthand and passed the test for 100 words-per-minute in typewriting.

After 13 years in government and business offices, Julia returned to school to earn her teacher’s certificate. She taught school for 22 years, the last eleven at West High School in the Salt Lake District where she was affiliated with the Honors Program and served as sponsor of West Winds, the literary magazine. She enjoyed writing humorous skits for faculty assemblies.

For ten years, Julia and her sister June served as delegates from the Salt Lake Council of Women to the Women’s State Legislative Council of Women. She also was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Eta and then Zeta Chapters.

Julia was an avid reader, even at the age of 99, having three books in progress.

Julia is survived by daughters Nancy Erickson-Heath (Quintin Heath), Salt Lake City, Utah; Evelyn Jo Erickson, MD (Bruce Broman, MD), St. Cloud, Minnesota; Dianne Erickson Adelberg (Edward G. Keating, Ph.D.), Alexandria, Virginia; twin grandchildren Nathan Erickson Broman and Amelia Erickson Broman, St. Cloud, Minnesota. She is also survived by a brother, Federal Judge Bruce S. Jenkins (Peggy) who is now the sole survivor of the “Five Jenkins Kids.” She is also survived by nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother Joseph Alton Jenkins (Antoinette), sisters Bessie J. Scofield (Glen) and June Elaine J. Bills (Howard).

A graveside service will be held on December 16, 2020 at 1:30 pm at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City. Masks and social distancing are requested.

Julia enjoyed contributing to The Christmas Box. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to The Christmas Box (thechristmasbox.org or 3660 South West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84115).