Gaylord “Eric” Lewis Erickson, age 82, of Fremont, passed away on Thursday, June 2, 2016.
He was born in Walker, Minnesota on May 17, 1934, the son of the late Lewis and Lyla (Evenson) Erickson. Eric’s career included working as a foreman/designer in sheet metal, and was the co-owner of Cleveland Tramrail, which was a successful over-head crane manufacturing business. He served his country in the US Navy and the Navy Reserves for 28 years, and retired in 1981 as a commander. In 1970, Eric married Del Baker in Glenview, IL, and after retiring they moved to their farm in Fremont in 1995. Eric loved his family and friends, being on the farm, and doing one of his most treasured hobbies of deer hunting. He was a designer by trade, and if there was something he couldn’t design or build, then it couldn’t be done.
Erik is survived by his wife of 46 years, Del; seven children: Michael (Donna) Erickson, Guy (Toni) Erickson, Eugene (JoAnne) Erickson, Gayne (Trisha) Erickson, Denise (Greg) Madala, Todd (Nancy) Netherton and Park Netherton; 12 grandchildren: Shelby, Petra, and Trisha Erickson, Simon (Jeremy) Dowden, Ashley (Emily) Erickson, Joshua, Jonathan, and Hannah Erickson, Britani (Sam) D’Alie, Rachele (Edward) Perez, Taylor (Luis) Rodriguez and Travis Netherton; 11 great-grandchildren: Aubrey, Logan, Jeremiah, Jonah, Jonathan, Brooklyn, Amiyah, BrookLyn, Aisjah, Michael and Jaxon; a brother, Syd Erickson and sister, Tammy Erickson; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many wonderful, loving friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Lewin Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for the Wounded Warrior Project.