The University Lutheran community gives thanks for the life of Solveig Grønning Ericson, who passed away at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, on September 6, 2025. A memorial service will be held at University Lutheran Church on Saturday, September 27, at 2 pm, with a musical prelude beginning at 1:35 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to Doctors Without Borders.
Solveig was born in Kobe, Japan, on January 5, 1953, the daughter of Lutheran missionaries from Norway. Aside from a few years in Norway, she spent her childhood in Japan and attended a Norwegian school in Kobe until ninth grade. She then attended Canadian Academy in Kobe, where she met her classmate and future husband, Steven Ericson, and graduated as valedictorian in 1971.
Solveig earned a B.S. in biology from Grand Valley State University in Michigan in 1975 and married Steven in Oslo, Norway, the same year. She then attended Boston University School of Medicine, earning an M.D. in 1985 and a Ph.D. in Physiology in 1987. She enjoyed reading Norwegian mystery novels, baking cardamom rolls, gardening, and visiting family in Norway and Japan. She is remembered by her family, friends, patients, and colleagues for her warmth, calmness, humor, gracefulness, and intelligence. She was humble despite her many accomplishments. For more on Solveig’s life and career, view the full obituary.
She is survived by her husband, Steven Ericson of Arlington, Massachusetts, and Hanover, New Hampshire; her children and their partners, Kjell Ericson and Sayaka Iwamoto Ericson of Kyoto, Japan, Evan Ericson and Nic Rios of Brooklyn, New York, and Kristine Ericson and Benjamin Walters of New Haven, Connecticut; her grandson Steinar Shinnosuke Ericson of Kyoto, Japan; her siblings Turid Grønning of Mercer Island, Washington; Berit Grønning Nielsen of Lillesand, Norway; and Terje Grønning of Auli, Norway. She was predeceased by her parents, Arne and Elsa Grønning of Oslo, Norway, and by her brother Nils Jørgen Grønning of Oslo, Norway.
Rest eternal grant Solveig, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon her.
Attending the Memorial Service in Person
The memorial service will take place at University Lutheran Church (66 Winthrop Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts) on Saturday, September 27, at 2 pm, with a musical prelude beginning at 1:35 pm. A reception will follow the service.
We worship in the light-filled Sanctuary, which is to the left as you enter the church building through the main blue door. Pick up a paper bulletin on your way in to guide you through the service.
University Lutheran Church is located at the corner of Dunster and Winthrop Streets in Harvard Square. The church does not have a parking lot, but there is some metered on-street parking on side streets near the church. The closest lots / garages are the Harvard Square Parking Garage, the metered lot under the Harvard Square Hotel, and the University Place Parking Garage. The church is very convenient to the Harvard Square station on the MBTA Red Line, and many buses also stop nearby.
Attending the Memorial Service by Zoom
The service will include Holy Communion, so have your own bread and wine or grape juice ready if you would like to participate.
Join Zoom Meeting by computer or smartphone:
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Meeting ID: 818 1337 4753
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Meeting ID: 818 1337 4753
To view or print the worship materials:
Zoom attendees may view or download the service bulletin (PDF, 20 pages). Paper bulletins and hymnals will be available for in-person attendees.