Dale Leland Erickson, 86, lifelong resident of Ellison Bay, was called Home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at Good Samaritan Society-Scandia Village in Sister Bay with his family at his side.
He was born at the family farm on Lakeview Road on January 8, 1932, the son of Henry Levi Erickson and Cecelia Ruth (Johnson) Erickson. Dale attended Wildwood School and Gibraltar High School. He initially went to sail on the Great Lakes as a helmsman with C. Rice Coal Co. Dale met Eleanor “Joan” Gabrielsen at a party at Peninsula State Park in Ephraim. He and Joan were united in marriage on December 27, 1952 in Oak Park, IL. Dale began his career in construction with Willard Erickson Construction out of Sister Bay. Dale had a passion for baseball. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed watching several games at Wrigley Field over the years. Dale especially liked cheering on Gibraltar High School, and his son, Clark, who played for the Sister Bay Bays in the Door County League. Dale even played second base in softball league. He was also a fan of the Green Bay Packers. Later on, Dale enjoyed wintering in Fort Meyers, FL with Joan. He loved his children and his grandchildren.
Dale will be missed by his wife, Joan, with whom he shared over 66 years of marriage; three children, Clayton (Carla) Erickson of Green Bay, Clark Erickson of Sister Bay, and Dawn Muench of Fort Meyers, FL; five grandchildren, Leah (Danny) Bogen and Chad Erickson, Ericka Ramos, and Ava and Ernie Erickson; three great-grandchildren, Calvin and Daiten and Adrianna; siblings-in-law, John Carlson, Marilyn Erickson, and Beverly Lamberson; other relatives; and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three children, Debra Erickson, Curtis Erickson, and Steven Erickson; eight siblings, Dorothy (Erv) Lillienburg, Lloyd (Jane) Erickson, Imogene (Bud) Totzke, Myrtle (Leathem) Thorstensen, Regina (Cletus) Daubner, Donna Carlson, Ronald Erickson, and Glenn Erickson; and other relatives.
Dale’s life will be honored with a memorial service held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay with Pastor Jim Honig officiating. Burial will be in Little Sister Cemetery.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church on Thursday, December 27, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Memorials may be given in Dale’s name for Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church or Good Samaritan Society-Scandia Village.
“Our family would like to thank the staffs of Scandia Village and Unity Hospice for the wonderful care given to Dale.”
Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Sister Bay is assisting the Erickson family with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Dale may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.
