James (Jim) Erickson passed away comfortably in his home on August 19,2026. He was a cherished husband, father, grandfather and friend, and he will be deeply missed.
Jim was born on March 25, 1949 to Russell and Dorothy (Armon) of Scandinavia. Jim worked on the family farm during his teenage years before graduating from Iola-Scandinavia High School in 1967. Two years later, on September 20, 1969, he married his high school sweetheart Peggy (Weisbod).
Jim enlisted in the Army and proudly served 3 years before returning home to his family.
In 1971, Jim started his career at the Waupaca County Highway Deprtment where he made many friends. He had a great passion for his work, working with the heavy equipment, but especially for snow plowing the state and county highways. When Peggy worked in Ogdensburg, Jim would clear the roads of snow before she left work just to make sure she would get home safely. He retired from WCHD in 2001.
Jim was a man of many hobbies. Hunting, golfing, fishing (Friday fish fries at the Erickson's!) and woodworking. Jim made many furniture items for his wife, daughters, and grandchildren.
Though not large in stature, he was big in heart and presence, thereby getting the nicknames Big E, Jim E or Big Jim from his closest friends. People loved to be around him and he easily made many friends around the neighborhood and beyond. For many years, many of these friends would vacation in Tomahawk and Mexico. You could also find these close friends and family at the annual garbage can party.
There were two places that held Jim's heart, the shed and cabin in Scandinavia, and his garage, the "man cave". He was an avid Packer's fan and had Packer parties whenever his team played. He also held many poker parties in that garage. If you couldn't find Jim in his garage, you could find him at the shed.
Eventually, Jim and Peg purchased a home in Arizona where they would "Snowbird" along with his sister- in- law Pat. Whenever possible, they would host anyone that could make it down, for however long they wanted to stay.
Several years after Peggy's passing, Jim met his second wife Sandra (Sandy) Mauser. They married on December 12, 2024. Together they shared a special chapter in life filled with compassion and love.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 50 years Peggy, his brother- in- law Don Mignon, and his sister- in- law Paula (Morey) Weisbrod.
Jim is survived by his daughters Revea Erickson (Chris), Jennifer (Jim) Kirk; grandchildren Jamie (Tyler) Rogney and John Kirk; his sisters Lynn Deeg, Dawn (Randy) Birling, and his second wife Sandy, his brother's -in-law Charlie Weisbod(Coreen), Jeff Weisbod (Danna), and his sister-in-law Pat Mignon. and many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Jim's caregivers and the Hospice team for their great work.
A celebration of life for Jim is being planned for a later date.
