Donald Erickson

Funeral services for Donald Erickson will be on Wednesday, August 16, at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Appleton, Minnesota.  A visitation will be on Tuesday, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.  Burial will take place at the Appleton City Cemetery.

Donald Edward Erickson was born on September 12, 1928, at the hospital in Morris, Minnesota to Edward and Louise (Fahje) Erickson.  He was baptized and confirmed at Reque Lutheran Church in rural Alberta.  Don attended country school, District 57, three miles south of Alberta.  In 1949, Don and his family moved thirteen miles south of Chokio; he continued his education at District 100 through the 8th grade.  After his schooling, he stayed home to help on the family farm before attending West Central School of Agriculture in Morris for two and half years before he needed to be back home working on the farm.  When Don was 22 years old, he drafted into the United States Army on March 15, 1951.  He served in the Army for two years as a medic in anti-air craft artillery and was discharged in 1953.  Don moved back home and farmed for a short time before moving to South St. Paul where he worked at the Amour Packing Plant.  In January of 1955, Don returned home and began working on the Marjorie Howard farm.  They were married on November 26, 1959.  They made their home on the farm where they raised their family.  In 1995, their son, Deron began farming and Don retired, but still was there to help.  In 2013, Don and Marjorie left the farm and moved into Morris where he continued to live until his death.

In his younger years, Don was a member of 4-H and later enjoyed helping his children with their projects for 4-H.  Don was a member of the United Methodist Church in Appleton, Minnesota, where he served in many offices, Synnes Township Board, Chokio Shipping Association, West Central Cattleman’s Association and Sons of Norway.  He and Marjorie enjoyed folk and square dancing, traveling to many locations and most importantly, Don cherished the time that he spent with his children and grandchildren.

Donald died peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at his home in Morris.  He was 88 years old.

Donald is survived by his wife, Marjorie of Morris; his children: Doyle Howard of Willmar, Darus (Linda) Howard of Renville, Marla LeFebre of Rochester, and Deron Erickson of Morris; grandchildren: Heather (Grant) Wingate, Cory (Amanda) Howard, Tammy (Tony) Hyatt, Heidi (Nick) Stepka, Jennifer (Greg) Ahrens, Brandon (Jill) Howard, Abby (Derek) Cervenka, Kelsey LeFebre, Emily LeFebre, Rebecca Erickson, Jacob Erickson, Noah Erickson and Katia Vantries; 19 great-grandchildren; one brother, Orville (Kathy) Erickson of Morris; and one sister, Edna (Donald) Schaefer of Morris.  Donald is preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Louise Erickson.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of arrangements.

Donald 's Memorial Folder