Virginia Hope "Gena" Erickson, 81, of  604 E. Tamarack St., Ironwood, passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 6, 2010, in her home, surrounded by her nine children and their families.      She was born July 24, 1928, in Ironwood, daughter of the late Alec and Anne (Erickson) Buccanero, attended grade school in Iron Belt, Wis., and graduated from Iron Belt High School in 1947.      On July 19, 1947, she was married to Carl R. "Ole" Erickson in Hurley, Wis. He preceded her in death on April 3, 2010.      After her children were grown, Gena was employed in housekeeping at Big Powderhorn Lodging Association and worked at McDonald's. She also attended Gogebic Community College for one year, receiving a certificate in food service.      She was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood, where she taught in the Sunday School program, and was a proud member of the Democratic Party. She enjoyed cooking, baking and collecting cookbooks, and loved to read and entertain her grandchildren with wonderful stories.  Gena and Ole's house was always open to anyone who came by, the coffee pot was always full, and baked goods were aplenty. Everyone that visited was made to feel at home. The more company they had, the more they relished life.      Surviving are four sons, Jan (Dolly), Jay (Sally), and Jamie (Irene), all of Ironwood, and Jon (Donna), Ironwood Township;   five daughters, Diane Buc (Larry Kangas), Wakefield, Shirley (Ron Sr.) Rhenlund, Ironwood, Margie (Jim) Sisko, Wausau, Wis., Linda (Mickey) Recla, Ironwood, and Carrie (David) Nelson, Bessemer; 25 grandchildren, Michele (Jason) Serafin, Liz Erickson, Rachel (Keivan) Bakhtiar, Matthew Erickson (Lelaine Cates), Michael Erickson, Cassie Erickson, Joshua (Jen) Erickson, Jeremy Erickson, Melvin (Amy) Pemble, Shayla (Petr) Sevcik, Jolynn (John) Murphy, Alex Buc, Julia (Ryan) Stanley, David Mandrella, Jennifer (Stephen) Bauer, Juliette Mandrella (Don MacAskill), Christina (Corey) Caswick, Josh Borowiec, Andrea (Jacob) Bucknell, Jacob Borowiec, Paul (Kristy) Recla, Justin Recla, Christie Recla, Tiffany Erickson, and Daniel Nelson.      Gena is further survived by 24 great-grandchildren, Jaden, Chloe, Kristofer, Johannah, Breanna, Bailey, Jocelyn, Katelyn, Celia, Courtney, Kaylee, Gabriel, Colleen, Harmony, Kaydence, Carlin, Mason, Logan, Daija, Forrest, Haidi, Jaici, Cadence and Cole; a brother, Brian "Scutta" (Gail) Buccanero, Ironwood Township; two sisters, Loretta (Bernard) Walquist, Ironwood, and Carol Linn, Iron Belt; and numerous nieces and nephews and many beloved friends.      Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Michael Recla; brother, Michael Buccanero; son-in-law, Ron Buc; and brother-in-law, Richard Linn.      Out of respect for Gena's wishes, cremation has taken place.      A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 10, at 11 a.m., at Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Francis Strong officiating.      Committal services and inurnment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.      Luncheon will be served in the church fellowship hall immediately upon return from the cemetery.      Relatives and friends may call at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday.      To view Gena's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.