Joan Erickson

A funeral service for Joan Marie Erickson, age 78, of Bonesteel, SD, was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD, with Brian Williams officiating.

Casket bearers were Hunter Falk, Tristen Falk, Gavriil Falk, Kristoffer Erickson, Thjorsven Erickson, Gjorde Erickson, Colby Erickson, and Christopher Smith. All of Joan’s family and friends as well as Clifton Rester were honorary casket bearers. Joan’s family chose various selections for the service’s music.

Interment took place at Riverside Cemetery in Pierre, SD, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Joan Marie was born to Mary E. (Mock) and Millard Anderson on May 24, 1947, in New Orleans, LA, the couple’s third child.

The family moved around the States quite a bit, taking their children all over the country, except for Hawaii. Joan loved to write and create cryptograph puzzles. She was especially protective of her younger brother Michael as they grew.

After joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1970 in Spokane, WA, she moved to California. She met Lyle Erickson, Jr. at a young single adult’s activity with the church. She realized he had his eye on her, and she tried to get away from him, but his persistence and stubbornness won that day. They dated for two months and were married in the Temple in Los Angeles, CA, on Friday the 13th of October in 1972.

Joan had always wanted lots of kids, but she only got a small handful— and she loved them. She was able to fulfill her passion of writing stories and articles for various newspapers and magazines. Her last publications were for the Bonesteel, SD, newspaper. Many may remember her as Yaya in the Neighborhood. Her kids and grandkids gave her the name of Yaya.

Joan and her husband raised their children in Pierre, SD. Joan took her kids fishing and walking all around Pierre quite often.

After all of the kids had left home and grandkids were all born, Joan and Lyle moved to Bonesteel, SD, where they made their home and retired, welcoming their kids, grandkids, family, and friends whenever they were in town.

Joan spent her last Christmas and New Year with family in 2025. She passed away in the hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, surrounded by family on January 3, 2026.

She is survived by her husband Lyle; their children Kristoffer (Amy and Alicia) Erickson and children Rhianna (Michael), Gjorde, Alie, and Colby; Kelly’O (Christopher) Smith and children Hunter, Tristen and Gavriil, Thjorsven (John) Erickson, and Clifton Rester; her brother Michael (Pat) Anderson and their kids; and sister-in-law Bobbie Sue Anderson and her family.