Ronald “Ronnie” Erickson, of Dawson, died February 24, 2016 at the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Dawson at the age of 77.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, February 27 , 2016 at 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson with Pastor Kendall Stelter and Pastor Brooke Apple officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 26, 2016 from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 6:30PM at Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.
Ronald Ernest Erickson was born on January 13, 1939, in Dawson, MN to Ernest and Gladys (Jacobson) Erickson. He was baptized and confirmed at Riverside Lutheran Church. He graduated from Dawson High School in 1957. He served in the National Guard from 1956 - 1964. On May 3, 1963, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Lund in Clear Lake, SD. When Ronnie was 12 years old he began washing cars at the Chevrolet dealership his father started in Dawson in the early 1940's. He continued to work with his father until his father's passing in 1971. His son, Mike, (who also started working at the garage at a young age) began working with him full time in 1991.
Family and friends were what Ronnie valued most. A lifelong passion for golf was passed down to his son and grandson, Spencer. Over the years Ronnie, Liz and family enjoyed camping, which allowed them to share life's simple and cozy moments with family and treasured friends on trips near (Long Lake, Flandreau State Park) and far from home (Disneyland, Seattle, Ozarks). Camping evolved from the back of a station wagon, to a tent, pop up, motor home, and lastly, to a lovely campsite overlooking Long Lake. He enjoyed trips to Mexico, Arizona, and Texas with family and friends. He and Liz also went on several cross country trips to see their daughter Terri and extended family on the west coast.
He especially enjoyed time with his friends playing golf, pool, cards and enthusiastically discussing politics. If you didn't know they were friends, the volume of healthy banter could, at times, make you stop and wonder. He loved attending his grandchildren’s activities, cuddling with family pets, and knowing that those he cared for were happy. Ronnie had a great sense of humor, a set of unique sayings and because of a very distinctive laugh, could be heard well ahead of being seen. His wave left no question in your mind of his intention to acknowledge you.
He is survived by his wife, Liz; two children: Terri Erickson of White Rock, BC and Mike (Karla) Erickson of Dawson; two grandchildren: Spencer and Savannah Erickson; and other relatives and friends.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his father, Ernie in 1971, his mother, Gladys in 2000 and sister, Jackie in 2012.
Blessed be his memory.