Fredrik Johannesson and Anna Christina Westholm

Fredrik and Anna were Albert's grandmother and grandfather. They both lived and died in Sweden even as most of their children emigrated to the United States.

This Swedish record book has the entry for Fredrik and Anna's marriage. His occupation listed as "Drången," or  "farm/field hand," she is listed as "Jungsfru," or "miss/maiden."

They were married June 23, 1867; their first daughter Adelaide was born September 24, 1867. Hilda was the 4th child born to Fredrik and Anna (in 1875).

The column to the right reads "vigselförrättarte," which means "wedding ceremony;" we need to ask an expert what is written in this category - it may give us some more information about the union

Learn about Hedvig Eleanora församling (parish) in Stockholm here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedvig_Eleonora_Parish

Were Fredrik and Anna married at the parish church that is pictured in the link? Maybe. Maybe not, as their first daughter was born only about 2 months after their wedding; did the parish frown upon this, or celebrate the union, sort of a "better late than never" mentality?

Fredrik and Anna remained married until her death in 1893, and had 6 children.

Alva's biological father, stepfather Alfred Woodhead Teolk, and Freda Johnson

We know nothing about Alva's biological father. One story related to D.M. by her grandfather Albert Erickson was that Alva's father traveled west to seek his fortune and never returned (presumed dead). We have not been able to locate a first marriage record for Freda, or a birth certificate for Alva which might indicate the name of her father. According to the marriage certificate for Freda and Alfred four years later, Freda is listed as a widow entering her second marriage.

Alfred lists this as his first marriage; however records indicate that he was married before to Edith Sizer, with one child (Blanche Iola) born to the union.  We must assume that they divorced as both Edith and Alfred married again; we don't know why Alfred lists his marriage to Freda as his first. 

Above: Freda and Alva, date and location unknown.

Alfred was the only father that Alva ever knew.

Though she was biologically a half-sister to Marion Gladys Teolk (b. 16 October 1916 in Methuen, Essex County, MA - pictured below) and Shirley Genevieve Teolk (b. 16 April 1920 in Methuen, Essex County, MA), that distinction was never emphasized. 

The two photographs below are known to be Alfred Woodhead Teolk and his mother, Mary Woodhead Teolk. 

This final photograph from Valerie's belongings is believed to be Alfred Woodhead Teolk as a young man.

Three generations

 

This photograph [taken 1955?] shows Valerie's daughter Diane being held by her mother, Alva, while her grandmother Freda looks on.

Carl and Hilda (Broberg) Erickson, 50th wedding anniversary

Carl and Hilda were Valerie's grandparents, the parents of her father, Albert Raymond Erickson. 

Image from collection of Valerie E. Mann; the handwriting on the back is Valerie's.

Carl Herman Erickson

Born 1872

D[ied] 1958

Hilda Albertina Broberg

Born 1875

Died 1954

Married 1895

50th anniversary

Obituary for Valerie E. Mann

Valerie E. Mann, of Collinsville, passed away in Owasso on February 18, 2021 after a valiant battle with dementia.

Valerie Ann Erickson was born on January 26, 1932 in Worcester, MA, to Albert Raymond Erickson and Alva Valerie Johnson Teolk Erickson.

She lived in Worcester until her family moved to neighboring West Boylston where she would complete High School, graduating from Major Edwards High School in 1950. While in school she worked at Memorial Hospital in Worcester which led to her interest in nursing. After graduating from High School, she attended nursing school in Boston, MA and Hartford, CT and graduated from college with a Bachelor's degree in Psychiatric Nursing in 1953.

Her first position after college was at Grant Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where she met her future husband, Darlington John (Darl J) Green in 1953. They were married in 1953 and moved to Boston, MA. Their first three children were born in Boston: Diane Frances, Brenda Susan and Daniel Paul.

The family moved to Los Angeles County, California, in 1960 where her youngest three children were born: Barbara Ann, Deborah Lynn and David John. David was born six weeks premature and died the day after he was born. Darl and Valerie separated in 1964 and divorced in 1965.

While in Los Angeles, Valerie worked at both The Westerly, a private psychiatric hospital, and St. John Hospital. She loved working as a nurse and was both dedicated and compassionate.

In 1968, she met and married, James O. Mann, an aeronautical engineer from Tulsa who was in California working on a project for McDonnell Douglas. The family lived in St. Louis for 8 months before moving to Tulsa in 1969 and eventually settling in Collinsville in 1982.

Valerie worked at Park Terrace Nursing Home in Tulsa from 1969 until 1978, when she "retired" to help care for grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, James O. Mann; her parents; her younger brother and only sibling, Roy Albert Erickson; her son, David John Green and grandson, Jason James Chapman.

Valerie is survived by her children, Diane (Bruce) Mitchell of Owasso, Brenda (Michael) Shelton of Owasso, Daniel (Jeannie) Green of Tulsa, Barbara Vest of Collinsville, and Debbie (Shayne) Maienfisch of Ft. Worth, TX; 14 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Joanne Erickson of West Boylston, MA; and many cousins and extended family members; close friend, Charlotte Bronston of Tulsa; and many other friends.

She loved her family; friends; gardening (she completed OSU'S Master Gardening Program); animals of every kind and Oklahoma sunsets. A memorial service will be held summer 2021.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Tulsa SPCA (2910 Mohawk Blvd., Tulsa, OK) or Paws and Claws Animal Rescue (4607 W C Rogers, Skiatook, OK 74070).

[Published by Tulsa World from Mar. 10 to Mar. 14, 2021.]