David G. Erickson, 81 years, of Ellison Bay, passed away August 20, 2023 in Manzanita, Oregon after suffering an apparent heart attack.
David was born April 9, 1942 in LaCrosse, the only child of Gerhard and Dorothy (Lind) Erickson. Growing up in Coon Valley cemented in him a love for the outdoors, including fishing and hunting, that he enjoyed his entire life. After his graduation from Westby High School, David went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Business from University of Wisconsin-Madison. While at UW, David was in the school’s first computer science class. He started his career with NASA in Southern California before returning to Wisconsin, where he began his married life with Beatrice Ann (Bea) Lokken in Mount Horeb, where they raised their two children, Leah Né and Todd. After he and his family moved to Madison, David began working for Grant-Thornton and the State of Wisconsin while his children finished high school and moved into college. His later work with Price Waterhouse technology brought him and Bea to Florida, where they lived for several years. When he began work with Ameritech, David and Bea relocated to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. They returned to Florida when David began work with KPMG’s Technology Division and retired there in 2004 as a partner. Not quite ready to quit working, David became a consultant for the City of Portland, Oregon, for five years. Leaving Portland, they became “snow birds,” splitting their time between Longboat Key, Florida and Door County.
David dearly loved his wife Bea, often reminding her that they had “a heck of a ride” over their 50+ years together. This included daily time together over the last several years as a gift of Covid. He was proud of all things Wisconsin, especially his beloved Packers and Badgers. He was a longtime member of the UW Alumni Association and was thrilled when his granddaughter Rowan began her undergraduate career at UW in 2022.
David was a generous man with his time, a thoughtful mentor and a person who readily shared his gift of helping those around him feel a sense of comfort and welcome. He also possessed a wonderful sense of humor and always enjoyed a good laugh with friends. David’s idea of being on time was to arrive fifteen minutes early. He lived life to its fullest, spending time golfing, hunting, fishing and target shooting in Wisconsin, Wyoming and South Dakota. He enjoyed the finer things in life, including travel, and the smell and look of a new car, especially Lincolns and Cadillacs.
He is survived by his wife, Bea, of Ellison Bay; son, Todd (Ariane) Erickson; seven grandchildren, Andrew, Brendan, Jacob, Rowan, Audrey, Kaylie, and Abbie. Preceding him in death are his parents, and his daughter, Leah Né.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday August 29, 2023 at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Juddville, with Rev. Frank Kauzlarich officiating. Burial will be at Bayside Cemetery in Sturgeon Bay.
Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m.to 11:30 a.m. Memorials in his memory may be made to Northern Sky Theater or Peninsula Players Theatre.
Casperson Funeral Home in Sister Bay is assisting the Erickson family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of David may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.
