Earl Erickson, 81

Earl Gerald Erickson, 81, Evansville, died Sunday, March 7, 2010 at Bethany Community Center in Alexandria after a long illness with Alzheimer’s disease.

Earl was born in Evansville Township on October 14, 1928 to Walter and Signe (Anderson) Erickson. He was baptized on March 29, 1929 and confirmed on June 13, 1943 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. He attended District 87 Country School and Evansville High School, graduating in 1946 and attended Concordia College in Moorhead for two years.

Earl worked on the family farm for two years before marrying Lois Kay Quam on June 10, 1950. Larae was born in 1952 and Greg in 1956. They lived and farmed near Evansville for 28 years, building a registered Holstein herd; a highlight of his farming career. He sold the cattle at an auction in 1978. They built a house and moved into Evansville in 1980. He kept busy with carpentry, woodworking and helping family and friends with whatever needed doing. He enjoyed cutting wood on Greg’s farm. His love of farming again became evident in his flower gardens and beautiful roses.

Earl was very involved in his community. He was a member, board member, and/or officer of HRA, PCA, Knute Nelson, cemetery board, Masonic Lodge, Alexandria Area Shrine Club, township officer, Farm Bureau, Evansville Community Club and the Minnesota Holstein Association. He was voted the Douglas County Outstanding Young Farmer in 1964 and received a conservation award. He served on the church council and was a Sunday school teacher.

Music was always important to Earl. He sang in the church choir from age 14 to 77, the Runic Chorus, Barbershop Chorus, and Alexandria Area Choir at various times. He sang solos for many weddings and funerals. Earl was always interested in sports, played baseball and basketball during and after high school, enjoyed bowling, softball, and was always watching some sporting event on TV and followed the local and national teams faithfully. He enjoyed golfing, hunting and fishing until his rheumatoid arthritis made those activities difficult. He also enjoyed card playing.

Lois and Earl enjoyed traveling, visiting all 50 states, Mexico, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, France and the Bahamas. They participated in a mission trip with the church youth. He loved God, his wife and family, music, sports, farming and his grandchildren were his pride and joy.

He is survived by his wife, Lois; daughter, Larae (Tom) Ziegelman of Alexandria; son, Greg (Donna) of Evansville; grandchildren, Trent (Barb Slavik and children) Ziegelman, Casey (Matt) Ruckheim, Andrea, Austin and Greg Jonathan Erickson; great-grandchildren, Audrey and Isaac Ruckheim; sister, Kathlyn Hanson; brothers-in-law, Ward Aas and Glenn Cording; sisters-in-law, Kay Erickson and Jean Yeager; several nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter; brother, Kenneth; sisters, Maxine Aas and Betty Johnson; brothers-in-law, Duke Johnson, Stanley Hanson, Gale Quam and Fred Yeager; sisters-in-law, Shirley Cording and Jeanne Quam.

A memorial service will be held Friday, March 12 at 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Evansville with the Rev. Irving Arnquist officiating. Burial will be at Mound Grove Cemetery in Evansville.

Arrangements are with Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Evansville; www.GlendeNilson.

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