Donald Erickson

Donald Clement Erickson was born in Albert Lea to Ellen Louise Boyd and Donald V. Erickson on February 5, 1943. As a young boy he grew up helping his parents on the farm and learning the value of working hard from his father. Later he would hire out to the surrounding farmers.

In 1965 Don was drafted into the Army and went to Vietnam as a helicopter crew chief. When he returned to the States he married Sybil Lee Ashing, and had two children, Troy Donald and Donnette Lee.

Don went to work for the railroad as an onboard engineer for a while. He went to Dunwoody to learn to be a welder, joined the 49’s Union and worked as a heavy equipment operating engineer for 50 years. Don traveled all over the country working. He was a man of many trades.

After Don divorced, he bought property in Pine River, MN where he built his house.  He continued to travel for work and while in California met his second wife, Muriel C. Van Betuw, in 1981, and they married in 1989. Don loved his life and supported Muriel in anything she did.

Donald retired from the Union and claim disability from the military from injuries that accrued during his service. He loved being outdoors and going fishing. He stopped hunting right after he came back from Vietnam. He always wanted a place on the lake and eventually found a cabin on Deep Portage.

Don was a good father, husband, and friend, always helping where he could. He will be deeply missed.

Don was preceded in death by his father, Donald V; mother, Ellen; and sister, Rebecca Arnold. He leaves behind his wife, Muriel; son, Troy Erickson; daughter, Donnette (Mario) Paloney; granddaughters, Sydney and Madison; great granddaughter, Sophia; brothers, David Erickson, Michael Erickson; sisters: Diana Kukuk, JoEllen (James) Hamann, Laurie (Mark) Madison, Mary (Todd) Anderson; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be 1 PM on Saturday, November 13, at Kline Funeral Home, Pine River. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. To view a recording of the service, click on the link below.

https://my.gather.app/remember/donald-erickson