Arnold "Arnie" Erickson

Arnold Raymond Erickson of Pelican Rapids passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 21, 2015 at the Pelican Valley Nursing Home where he was a resident for the past month. While there Arnold was also under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Memorial services will be held at 1:30 PM, Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, MN with Pastors Tom Olson and Scott Block officiating. Burial of cremains will be at Northwest Cemetery, rural Pelican Rapids, MN. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM, Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at Larson Funeral Home in Pelican Rapids, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM.Arnold was born on March 15, 1929 to George and Olga (Teigen) Erickson and was a life long resident of the Pelican Rapids area. He attended District 79 Country School through the 8th grade. Arnie's father died when he was just two years old and Arnie helped his mom on the family farm for many years. Arnold was united in marriage to Betty Kay Logan on July 29, 1950 at Pelican Valley Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids. They were married over 64 years. Shortly after they were married they began their family of four: Irvin, Beth, Everett and Arlan. Throughout his years Arnold worked in several occupations. He worked at the creamery and Nash Finch in Detroit Lakes. In Pelican Rapids he worked at Texaco and Erickson-Hellickson, Vye Lumber Yard. He drove school bus for Russell Knutson and was a milk hauler for Duane Farnham. He and Betty returned to dairy farming from 1960-1984. In addition, Arnold was often called upon by area residents to "witch water" for them. With just the right willow stick he was, time and again, able to find the good water sources. One of the jobs he especially took great pride in was when he and his wife Betty served as the custodians at Trinity Lutheran Church from 1984 to 2003.Arnold loved the outdoors. Throughout his life he enjoyed duck hunting, fishing, deer hunting, trapping, and netting white fish. Whether hunting by himself or with family or friends Arnold enjoyed the sights and sounds of nature. In his later years when it became more difficult for him to get around it seemed that nature came to him. Sitting at his dining room table Arnold enjoyed the many deer, which fed on the grass in his backyard as well as the flocks of turkeys that entertained him. This was all in addition to the countless birds and squirrels, which came to visit their bird feeders. Being a true Norwegian Arnold loved eating smoked fish and lutefisk and making lefse with Betty. He enjoyed cooking meals, canning, making headcheese, and potato salad (his specialty). He volunteered delivering for Meals on Wheels and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Arnie also could never turn down a dish of maple nut ice cream. He is survived by his wife Betty and three children: Irvin (Joan) Erickson of Mora, Beth (Steve) Bergquist of Pelican Rapids, Everett (RaeNell) of Pelican Rapids. In addition he has 10 grandchildren: Michael (Nichole) Erickson, Brenda (Jesse) Radloff, Douglas (Ann) Bergquist, Gerald (Jennifer) Bergquist, Sarah (Marvin) Vareberg, Shawn Erickson, Kelly (Jeff Davis) Erickson, Aaron (Nichole) Leininger, Andrea Erickson, Nicholas (Manda) Erickson, and 18 great grandchildren.Arnold was preceded in death by his parents, his three siblings, Orville, Evelyn Grahn and Florence Halbakken and son, Arlan. Arnold "Arnie" Erickson Memorial Folder Funeral Home:Larson Funeral Home304 3rd Street S.E.Pelican Rapids, MNUS 56572