Donald Erickson

Donald Erickson, 90, of Montrose passed away at home on hospice care, surrounded by his loving family, on November 3, 2021.  Memorial mass will begin on Saturday, November 6 at 10:30 am at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Montrose.  Visitation will be held from 6 – 7 pm on Friday with a prayer service at 7 pm, also at the church.

Donald “Don” Alvin Erickson was born to Gust and JoHannah (Matson) Erickson on April 3, 1931 on a farm in the Woonsocket, SD area. He was the youngest of six children; moving with his family to Bridgewater, SD, in 1934. Don attended one room schools in the Bridgewater area through 8^th grade and attended Bridgewater High School graduating in 1949.

After graduation, Don worked construction and on the railroad and married Dorothy Meister on April 9, 1951, at the Notre Dame Chapel in Mitchell, SD. They lived in the Bridgewater and Mitchell area until Don was drafted in 1952. He did basic training at Fort Bliss in Texas and then was transferred to Fort Lewis and Fort Lawton, Washington.  Don was honorably discharged from the army in February, 1954.

Don farmed in the Montrose area until 1983 when he built their home in town.  Don ran a small construction business building and remodeling houses in the Montrose area. After retiring from construction, Don worked 9 years for the City of Montrose retiring in 1996.

Don was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Montrose. During his lifetime he enjoyed bowling, camping, gardening and canning produce, working on tractors and old cars, small building projects and furniture, tin can and bottle cap tractors, rocking horses for grandchildren, playing cards, cooking, and serving numerous community events.

Don was very active in the American Legion for over 50 years. He was Commander (20 years), Vice Commander, and Chief Cook for meetings and events, and attending many State Conventions for the Legion.

Survivors include Dorothy, his wife of 70 years, one daughter Linda Thelen, Huron, SD; four sons, Dave, Salem, SD, Dan (Deb), Harrisburg, SD, Bob (Denise), Montrose, SD, Jeff (Rhonda), Wentworth, SD; 14 grandchildren, Mark (Jenni), Mike (Jinny), and Matt (Jen) Struck, Shaun (Cassie) Thelen, Julie (Ryan) Watson, Ashley (Dan) Coomes, Clint (Stacy) and Brian (Sami)  Erickson, Jenny (Bob) McGrath, Megan (Marc) Lanpher, Joseph and Hannah Erickson, Kelsey (Evan) Murphy, Kyle Erickson; 27 great grandchildren, Isaac, Manny, Sienna, and Abe Struck; Max, Zach and Kate Struck; Sam and Ella Struck; Grey, Gunner, and Gypsie Thelen; Emily, Isaac and Aiden Watson; Adelyn and Aubrey Coomes; Gwen and Bailey Erickson; Alexis, Madalyn and Kylinn McGrath; Emma and Bella Lanpher; Charlotte and Kynleigh Murphy; one great, great granddaughter, Collins Struck; sister-in-law Lorraine Erickson; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, one great granddaughter Mara Struck; son-in-law Dan Thelen; three brothers, Martin, Harry, and Delbert; two sisters, Elsie Dirks, and Theresa “Viola” Braaten; four sister-in-laws, Elizabeth Erickson, Phyllis Gilman, Dorothea Meister and Lucille Erickson; four brother-in-laws, Oliver Dirks, Eldon Sykes, Leo Heppler, and Gerald Meister.