Lee Erickson

Funeral Service for Lee Erickson, 69, of Wheaton, Minnesota will be held Monday, December 8, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Minnesota with Rev. Thomas Olson officiating. Pallbearers will be Tim Backman, Shannon Boehmlehner, Bob DeHaan, Eric Miller, Roger Schmidt, Philip Deal, and Mike Martens. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery in Wheaton. Visitation will be held Sunday, December 7th from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with a 6:00 P.M. Prayer Service at the Ranney Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Monday morning at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church from 10:00 A.M. until service time. The Ranney Funeral Home of Wheaton & Herman, Minnesota is in charge of arrangements. Lee Vincent Erickson was born December 31, 1938 in Graceville, Minnesota to Leonard Anthony and Margaret Augusta (Deal) Erickson. He grew up on a farm in rural Wheaton. Lee was baptized on January 15, 1938 at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton by Rev. Henry Steichen. Lee was confirmed in Wheaton on June 21, 1954 by Biship Peter Bartholome. Lee attended Wheaton High School graduating in 1957. Lee entered the United States Army Reserves in 1956 and served until 1964. He furthered his education at the University of Minnesota Morris receiving a BS Degree in History and Political Science. Lee married Marilyn Johnson on July 3, 1966 in Grafton, North Dakota. The couple farmed in the Wheaton area for over 50 years. Lee also drove school bus and was always there to help a neighbor when needed. Marilyn passed away July 14, 2004. Lee married Renee Rood on March 5, 2006 in West Fargo, North Dakota. The couple resided in rural Wheaton, Minnesota. Lee was a member of the Wheaton School Board, Elevator Board and was a 4-H Leader. He enjoyed coffee and conversation with family and friends, watching CNN, talking about the weather and farming, the stock-market, and most of all spending time with family. After a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gerhigs) Disease) Lee passed away on Wednesday evening, December 3, 2008 at his residence in rural Wheaton. Lee is survived by his wife: Renee Rood of Wheaton, four children: Kirsten Erickson and husband Patrick Kemna of St. Paul, Minnesota, Katrina (William) Welder of Wahpeton, North Dakota, Lucia (Kirk) Gruby of West Fargo, North Dakota, and Leif Erickson of Plymouth, Minnesota, step-daughter: Paula (Robert) DeHaan of Wheaton, Minnesota, seven grandchildren: Veronica and Tasha Kemna of St. Paul, Minnesota, Whitney, Josilyn and Timothy Welder of Wahpeton, North Dakota and Kyler and Keegan Gruby of West Fargo, North Dakota. Lee was preceded in death by his parents: Leonard and Margaret Erickson and his wife: Marilyn Erickson.

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