Richard B. Erickson
March 6, 1933 — August 11, 2021
Richard B. Erickson, age 88 of Garretson, SD passed away peacefully Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at his home in Garretson, SD.
A Memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, August 20, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson, SD with Pastor Steve Moberg officiating. Inurnment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Chester, SD.
A time of visitation with the family will be at the church Friday morning from 9:00 until the time of service at 10:30.
In lieu of flowers, family request memorials be directed to the Zion Lutheran Church elevator fund at Zion Lutheran Church, 212 N Center Ave, Garretson, SD 57030.
The service will be live-streamed at Zion Lutheran Church Facebook page.
Richard B. Erickson was born March 6, 1933 in Flandreau, SD to Barney and Breta (Anderson) Erickson. He was raised in Flandreau and graduated from Chester High school. He joined the United States Air Force and served during the Korean War. He was very dedicated to the Legion and enjoyed the comradery from his fellow servicemen.
Richard enjoyed being with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He hardly missed going uptown in the morning for coffee with friends. He was very kind and friendly to everyone. He loved helping out whenever he could. He was very dedicated to his church and thoroughly enjoyed the socializing of coffee after service. He enjoyed square dancing in his younger days. He took an interest in hunting, camping and fishing. He would always ask, “Did you catch any bullheads?”
He worked as a custodian at Franklin Elementary School in rural Chester and at Baltic School. Richard worked at the VA Hospital food service in Sioux Falls. He was raised on the farm and farmed for many years, which he loved.
Survived by his beloved wife, Waneta, of 39 years; children, Linda (Dale) Wagner of Elk River, MN, Karen (Bill Thome) Erickson of Waupun, WI, David Erickson of Woodlands, TX, Patricia Mathison of Waianae, HI, Laurie (Paul) Carlson of Watertown, SD, Julie Hersom (Dave Gaddis) of Garretson, SD, Dewayne Docken of Omaha, NE, and Shelby (Lisa) Docken of Beresford, SD; grandchildren, Jeff (Stephanie) Campbell, Kendall and Travis of Hudson, WI, Brett (Kay) Campbell, Mia and Emi of Ann Arbor, MI, Rachel Campbell of Hudson, WI, Abby (Brian) Vande Kieft, Tate and Bryce of Orange City, IA, Brooke (Devion) Joseph, Alexia, De’andre, Desire, Destiny and Amari of Sioux Falls, SD, Jenna (Matthew) King, Tyler, Mason and Summer of Coral Springs, FL, Sara Docken of Omaha, NE, Jeremy (Amber) Docken, Kyzer and Kailey of Bozeman, MT, Ryan (Becka) Docken of Minneapolis, MN, Eric (McKenzie) Docken, Grace and Cora of Sioux Falls, SD, and Alex Docken of Beresford, SD; Sisters, Joyce (Curt) Addison of Coon Rapids, MN, Mary Jensen of Black Hawk, SD, and Carol Ziegler of Mitchell, SD; and many nieces and nephews
He was preceded in death by his parents, Barney and Breta Erickson; Lucille Mathison Erickson; and one sibling.
The family wishes to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to the staff of Avera Home Hospice for their loving care.
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