Alene E. Erickson, age 85, of Brookings, died Friday, July 7, 2006, at the Brookings Hospital. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, July 11, 2006, at First Lutheran Church in Brookings, with interment in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitations will be from 5-8 P.M. Monday at Eidsness Funeral Home. Alene E. (Bacon) Erickson was born March 1, 1921, in Brookings County, South Dakota, to Thomas and Elizabeth (Thielsen) Bacon. She spent her early years in Argo Township, Brookings, County, where she received her education in rural schools. On January 28, 1941, she married Gilbert Erickson at Rock Rapids, Iowa. After their marriage, they farmed near Toronto, South Dakota, until 1944, and in the Bruce-White area until 1949. In 1949 Alene and Gilbert moved to their farm on the south edge of Brookings. They built their new house in Brookings in 1980, where Alene has been living since Gils death in 1985. Alene was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, and spending time with her friends and family. After retiring from farming, Alene spent many hours as a volunteer at the United Retirement Center and in various church activities. Survivors include her four children: Joyce (Jim) Cheadle of Rapid City, Marlyn (Sue) Erickson of Rapid City, Wanda (Barry) Mortimeyer of Sacramento, California, and Todd (Sandra) Erickson of Des Moines, Iowa; ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Arloene (Alvin) Jensen of Estelline, South Dakota, and Ardene Voss of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and a brother, LeMarcus.