Randolph "Randy" Erickson

Randolph Eugene Erickson, 90, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota died Monday, May 22, 2023 at 3:00 a.m. while living at the Riverfront on Main Senior Living Center, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.

Randy was born on July 23, 1932. The son of Albert P and Clara (Peterson) Erickson in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. He was raised and educated in Pelican Rapids, graduating from High School in 1950. After graduation Randy worked at Larson Construction and Boe’s Dairy.

Randy enlisted in the United States Army in 1952, serving with the 8^th Army battalion as a switch board operator while stationed in Chuncheon, Korea during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on December 10^th, 1953.

After Korea Randy worked for the Great Northern Railroad, prior to his career at Ottertail Power Company. Randy worked for 39 years as a Lead Electrical Lineman from June 5^th 1955 to August 2^nd 1994. His work had his family moving from Parkers Prairie to Star Lake to Fergus Falls, finally back home to Pelican Rapids.

Randy met Patricia Hoffman at Abraham’s Resort on Star Lake, Dent, Minnesota. They were married 3 months later on November 13^th, 1961 in Webster, South Dakota. Randy and Pat built a home at Star Lake where his two sons, Boyd & John were born. The family relocated a few times following his job at Ottertail Power, but finally landed in Pelican Rapids from 1970-2018, before moving to the Lake house on Long Lake, Vergas Minnesota until Pat’s passing in 2022. After Pat died, he moved to Riverfront on Main until the time of his death.

Randy always enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters.  Regardless of how his health was, you could see a gleam in his eye, seemingly taking away any pain and making him 20 years younger.

Randy enjoyed anything requiring him to be outdoors. He loved to garden, hunt, fish, trap and cut wood. There was always a hunting story to tell or historical record of who owned plots of land around, Pelican, Dent, Vergas or the Parker’s Prairie region.  He was a big Minnesota sports fan.  He loved watching Gopher football and basketball. Randy loved watching the Twins, but most of all Viking football.

Randy always enjoyed spending time with the Krabbenhoft family.  Douglas, Michael, Eric and Kristi were always willing to help out around at the lake home.  He always cherished the family gatherings and appreciated the numerous visits, where he could share his stories.

Randy was a member of the VFW Post 5252, on the board of the Pelican Valley Cemetery, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, a member of the IBEW (International brother hood of Electrical Workers) and the prestigious Pelican Pool Hall Gang.

I would like to pass on a special “Thank You” to all the people that took care of Randy while living at Riverfront on Main this past year. He enjoyed listening to Bluegrass Music while doing his Physical Therapy and trying to make the staff laugh with his dry sense of humor.

Randy is survived by his sons: Boyd (Pam) Erickson, Maurice, Iowa, John (Kristi) Erickson, Moorhead Minnesota; 5 grandchildren: Kyra (Shane) Huisman, Brynn (Brody) De Jager, Krislyn (Jose) Vergara, Esabella & Elyssa Erickson; 5 great-grandchildren: Treyton, Macy & Malea Huisman, Paisley & Mila De Jager; 2 brothers: Amos Erickson and Earnie (Shirley) Erickson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Randy is proceeded in death by his wife Patricia (2022); parents Albert & Clara Erickson; sisters: Alice Cobb, Clarice Peterson, Myrna Runningen and Deloris Haugrud; brothers: Clifford Erickson, Arthur Erickson and Donald Erickson.

Visitation: Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, MN. 

Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.

Clergy:  Allen Westby, S.A.M.

Interment: Pelican Valley Cemetery, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota

Please keep Randy's family in your thoughts and prayers.