JOEL AND MARY ERICKSON
By Mary

If I had to describe our most prevailing life path it would be our built-in desire to restore, renovate, rebuild. Be it machines, homes, antiques, furniture, or anything in which we see possibilities. We both liked older homes and always kept looking at the possibilities of restoring one ourselves. Joel's grandmother and my great grandparents lived in wonderful old homes and I think that those good memories served to plant the desire in our lives.

Joel and I came to Osceola in 1983. While vacationing in Arkansas we came back through Osceola and Joel spotted what was then known as the Banta house. We were very intrigued by the wonderful architecture of the house. It was over-grown and in very poor condition. The realtors' sign had been there for some time.

When we arrived home in Minnesota, we called the realtor and made an appointment to see the home the following week end. Upon viewing the house we saw a huge amount of work, but it was such a diamond in the rough. Much of the original fretwork, woodwork, high ceilings, and on a large lot. The house had been empty and uncared-for for many years, and the realtor related it was still owned by the original family of J.V. Banta. We made an offer, it was accepted, and then the adventure began! We trusted if this was God's plan for our life it would happen. We put our home in Minnesota on market and the first people who came through the home bought it. We had no connections to Iowa or Osceola so we were like pioneers coming to a new area. Thirty days later started what became a life goal to GETTER DONE!

Mary Banta and Helen were glad to see that someone would be willing to bring the home back to its original beauty. Mary and her daughters lived in the home after her husband J.V. Banta had passed away. Mary had some health problems and needed to move to Berea, Kentucky with her daughter to be near her other daughter, Helen. Jane Houston lived next door and was a wonderful wealth of knowledge about the Banta family, the history of the home and its furnishings.

The restoration of the home was intensive and with the help of the state architect we came up with plans that would bring the home back as close as possible to its original condition. The state historical society is a wonderful resource and gave us so much great advice. The home received two grants, one from federal and one from the state to do restoration work in a manner that would not compromise the historic value of the property — like wood roof vs. asphalt shingles and repairing the basement using the special blend of concrete mortar mix, restoring windows rather than replacing them. We took our time, not wanting to get too financially or physically stressed in the process.

We have been working on and reworking the home for 33 years and have found it a worthwhile goal accomplished. With the boys grown and all the projects on the house completed our interests are changing. We plan to put the home up for sale and move to the motel house —until we do the next project!! We just seem to be the kind of people who believe it's better to wear out than rust out!

Just a note about the tunnel: There isn't one! Mary Banta's childhood home was part of the Underground Railroad. She visited school classes and told them of that home. The Banta house was not built during that era. Sorry, no tunnels to the hospital or our neighbors' homes —no ghosts either!

Joel and I met when we were in our 20's at Flying Cloud Airport in Minnesota. I operated the flight desk at an aviation company; Joel had just come back from his service in the Navy and was taking flight lessons. Joel grew up in New Ulm, Minnesota on a large farm and I grew up in the Fridley/Anoka area. We have two sons — John, who lives in Sunny Santa Cruz, California and is making plans to move back to the Midwest this coming year; and Jesse, who is in Sydney, Australia. He is working on the new Happy Feet film to be released in about a year and will then return to the U.S.

Joel's background and experience are in farming, auto mechanics, owner of Erickson construction and also holds his electrical license in Iowa. I have had a lot of variety in careers as well — free lance work in Minnesota, owner of an antique and gift shop, worked for two law films in litigation departments in Des Moines, and have been a real estate agent for the last 13 years.  

One of the great memories I will have of Osceola is "Christian Women's Club." Once again seeing lives restored was a result of that group! After a handful of women in Osceola put much effort into starting a club here there was a wonderful response — 50 to 100 women a month attended. We had dinner and a special feature which was very educational, funny or amusing. Then we would have speakers (some came from quite a distance away) who would share their life stories and experiences of how God had worked in their lives, provided a way and encouraged strengthened them through it all. The women in our community could relate to them and their circumstances. They could see how God's hand could reach down and change and restore lives. It was such a positive group that also developed into Bible studies and deep friendships.

After many years the club disbanded as many clubs do. So many women worked full-time and volunteers were scarce. The Bible studies continued and were a great encouragement to many of our area women. I really enjoyed the experience!

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Last Revised January 31, 2015