Willard Erickson

Willard Stewart “Bill” Erickson
Age 95
November 19, 1922 - February 5, 2018

Bill Erickson passed away surrounded by family on Monday, February 5t h at Northern Lakes Senior Living in Baxter, MN. For many years he spent winters in Mesa, AZ returning in the summer to the Brainerd Lakes area.

Bill was born November 19, 1922 in Chicago, IL. He moved as a child to St. Paul, MN where he graduated from St. Paul Murray High School. He was the oldest of 3 boys raised during the depths of the depression. His favorite memories were growing up next to the state fairgrounds and time spent with his two brothers. After WWII, he and his brother Bob did a 4 month canoe trip up the Red River of the North to Hudson Bay.

In 1942, during WWII, he initially joined the Merchant Marines and later served in the US Army in the Pacific Theater, discharged with a rank of Master Sergeant. Following WWII, he studied education at Winona State, graduating in 1950. Summers were spent as a canoe guide at a nearby boy scout camp. He later served in the US Army in the Korean Conflict from 1950-52, discharged with a rank of First Lieutenant. After his military service, he taught high school social studies in Fulda, Minnesota. At the beginning of his second year of teaching in Fulda, he met a second grade teacher starting her first teaching job who swept him off his feet. He and Orie eloped in Iowa on February 20, 1954. Since at that time a woman could not be both married and teach, the marriage was kept secret except for a few friends until the end of the school year when she resigned her teaching position.

Their daughter, Jill, was born in 1956 in Slayton, Minnesota. The family moved to Litchfield, MN in 1957 where he taught social studies at Litchfield High School for the next 26 years. His son, Jay, was born in 1959 in Litchfield. Bill was very active in all aspects of the community in Litchfield and with his church, First Lutheran Church. Bill and Orie took 20 high school students for a month long trip, to witness the Christian faith behind the Iron Curtain in 1974. The Erickson house was filled with books and a love of learning and teaching, which they passed to their children. Their daughter, Jill, is a retired teacher and son, Jay, a Family Physician and an Assistant Dean with the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Orie and Bill moved to Brainerd in 2002 to be closer to their daughter, Jill. They made the most of retirement participating in over 20 elder hostels and more than 15 cruises. They enjoyed a lake place on Crow Wing Lake near Brainerd and spent many winters in Mesa, Arizona.

The love of Bill’s life was his family. He enjoyed 58 years of wonderful marriage to Orie. Bill and Orie were a constant fixture together and always willing to volunteer, lend a hand, and be everyone’s friend. He was a great representative of “The Greatest Generation.”

Bill is survived by his daughter Jill Erickson of Ironton, Minnesota and her children Zachary Erickson of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Amelia Erickson of Ironton, Minnesota; and son Jay Erickson and his wife Meg of Whitefish, Montana and his sons Anfin Erickson and wife Karli of Cooperstown, New York and

William Erickson and wife Lindsay of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and two great granddaughters Astri and Inge Erickson of Cooperstown, New York.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Baxter, MN, 11am Thursday, February 15t hwithvisitationonehourprior.Inlieuofflowers,thefamilyasksthatdonationsbeconsideredto: Lord of Life Lutheran Church , 6190 Fairview Rd, Baxter, MN 56425. Arraignments have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN.