George Olaf Erickson

George Olaf Erickson passed away at his home on July 24, 2022, at the age of 91, surrounded by his loving family.

George was born on January 23, 1931, in Warren, MN, to William (Willie) and Clarissa Erickson. He attended grade school at the one-room school house near Viking, MN, where his mother, Clarissa, was the teacher. He graduated from Warren High School in 1948 at the age of 17. He was baptized into the Lutheran Faith and Confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Viking.

George was united in marriage to Emma Bennett on March 16, 1951, in Viking, MN. Five children were born of this union: Kathryn, Russell, Richard, Joel, and Jeffrey. They made their home in rural Viking, where George farmed with his step-father raising turkeys. In 1955, George and Emma moved their family to Milwaukee, WI. In Milwaukee, he was employed at Bucyrus-Erie, a large dragline manufacturer, where he learned the precision machining trade. In 1963, they moved back to their rural Viking home, where George resumed farming and raising turkeys.

In 1976, George founded Ericco Tool & Manufacturing, which was located on the Erickson family farm, where he worked alongside his son, Rick. Ericco is a custom tooling and manufacturing operation working with local and national corporations such as Arctic Cat, Marvin Windows, and the U.S. Military. Thanks in large part to George and Rick’s partnership, today, Ericco is a thriving third-generation family business.

George loved baseball and was a pitcher for the Viking Oilers baseball team of the Red River Valley League. He traveled around the region with the Oilers throughout the 50s. When not working, George enjoyed spending time with his family at their lake home in Detroit Lakes, MN, attending the Minnesota State Fair, watching Twins baseball, and doting on his faithful companion Oscar the beagle. He was proud of his Swedish heritage and was an avid genealogy researcher. In 2012 he was instrumental in the revival of the Rindal Lutheran Church and was a proud and faithful parishioner. George loved deer hunting and sharing the season with his family in the woods “up north.” This past fall, he shot his last buck at the age of 90.

Left to mourn his passing are his children Kathryn (Wayne) Liden, Russell (Nancy) Erickson, Joel (Rhonda) Erickson, Jeffrey (Becky) Erickson, daughter-in-law Sally Erickson, grandchildren Kelly (Kyle) Jordet, Ben (DeeAnn) Erickson, Kate (Tim) Barry, Patrick (Lindsay) Erickson, Trudy Erickson (Joey Halvorson), Kelsey (Kasey) Karlstad, Hollie Erickson, Clay Erickson, Brianna Erickson, Adelaide Erickson, and granddaughter-in-law Larissa Hoover; 19 great-grandchildren, Emma Jordet, Jonathan Barry, Nikolas Barry, Lucas Erickson, Isaac Erickson, Nora Veselka, Owen Liden Lill, William Erickson, Mason Liden Lill, Charlie Erickson, Britta Erickson, Paisley Pifer, Collyns Karlstad, Shay Halvorson, Madelyn Hoover, Jacob Erickson, Camryn Karlstad, Carter Karlstad, Ruby Halvorson, several nieces, nephews, and Oscar the beagle.

He is preceded into death by his wife, Emma; son, Richard Erickson; parents Willie Erickson, Clarissa and Egbert Malberg; brothers Earl and Paul Erickson; and grandson Zane Erickson.

In Lieu of Flowers, memorials are preferred in memory of George to Rindal Lutheran Church or Hospice of the Red River Valley.
FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday, July 29, 2022, at 1:00 PM, in Rindal Lutheran Church, Viking, MN.
VISITATION: Thursday evening, July 28, from 4:30 PM with a Prayer Service at 6:00 PM, in Rindal Lutheran Church; and one hour prior to the funeral.
INTERMENT: Viking Cemetery, Viking, MN.