Robert J. Erickson

BELMOND - Robert J. Erickson, 83, of Belmond, died suddenly Wednesday (March 5, 2008) at the Belmond Medical Center in Belmond.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2008, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, west of Belmond, with the Rev. Lowell Halvorson officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery in Belmond.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E. in Belmond and continue one hour prior to the services on Saturday at church.

Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Bob's name may wish to consider the St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Belmond Medical Center, Belmond Ambulance Service, or to the donor's choice.

Robert, the youngest son of Alvin B. and Pearl (Thompson) Erickson, was born Aug. 13, 1924, on his parents farm in rural Kanawha. He grew up in the Kanawha area, attending District No. 1 Norway Township Country School and graduated from Kanawha High School in the Class of 1942, the same year his mother Pearl passed away from cancer. Bob then assisted his father on the farm during World War II.

Robert was united in marriage to Ruth J. Baker on June 17, 1945, at her home near Belmond. The couple's union was blessed with four children: James, Jeffrey, Rebecca and Beth. They made their home on farms near Kanawha, Belmond, and Latimer farming 30 years.

In 1976, Bob and Ruth moved to their home in the grove south of Belmond. Bob worked as an agent and adjuster for hail insurance companies and Ruth taught school in Belmond. Bob continued his employment in the adjuster profession into his 80's.

Bob was a lifelong member of the St. Olaf Lutheran Church being baptized and confirmed there. He had held numerous offices and served on various church committees as well as singing with the men's groups and quartet at the church for many years.

Bob was a longtime active member of the Belmond Lions Club serving in various offices and he had received the Warren Coleman Award, as well as various other recognitions for his service to the organization and community. Bob served many years in 4-H and FFA leadership roles, had been a Babe Ruth coach and enjoyed singing in many community choruses.

Bob very much enjoyed working the soil in his farming, gardening, and yardwork. A favorite pastime was watching song birds, wild turkeys, and deer in the couple's wooded backyard. Fishing trips to Minnesota's Leech Lake, doing some woodworking, watching sports, especially watching and attending his favorite Minnesota Twins games and singing made his life enjoyable.

Bob's favorite activities involved nearly anything that included being in the presence of his family. Whether it was the camaraderie and friendly competition of the "Annual Family Cookie Bake Off," family get togethers for birthday celebrations and other special events, or a family excursion into the backyard woods to search for the elusive wild mushrooms, or to enjoy the spectacle and the beauty of the roses and other flowers while listening to the sounds of nature, or time spent enjoying fellowship and food around the fire.

The family reflected fondly upon afternoons and evenings spent with Bob sharing his bountiful bowls of popcorn while watching the television.

Though he was a fan of the Twins, the Hawks, Panthers, and Cyclones, he was first and foremost the number one fan and cheerleader at the many sporting events and other extra-curricular activities of his children and grandchildren. Bob absolutely relished his role as president of their fan club.

Bob enjoyed morning and afternoon trips to Bleomke Pharmacy to visit with friends about the news of the day over hot coffee.

All who had the privilege of knowing him, will miss the twinkle in his eyes, his friendly smile and his warm and welcoming personality. He will be deeply missed as a loving husband, dad, grandpa, uncle and friend.

Bob's memory will live on in the lives of his wife and life partner of almost 63 years, Ruth Jean (Baker) Erickson, 127 Country Club Drive, Belmond; his sons, James R. Erickson and fiancee, Judy Dieken, of Waverly, and Jeffrey L. Erickson and his wife, Sue, of Belmond; his daughters, Rebbecca Sue Menning and her husband, Allan, of Hampton, and Beth Ann Jaacks and her husband, Jeffrey, of Hampton; grandchildren, Captain Dana Pape and her husband, Chris, USAF Little Rock, Ark., Brenda Erickson and her fiance' Allen Ernst, of Dubuque, Joshua Erickson, and his wife, Chriszma, USN Lakeside, Calif., Kimberly Erickson, of Tekamah, Neb., Kacie Bonjour and her husband, Brandon, of Ankeny, Lindsey Jaacks and her fiance, Josh Showalter, of Sheffield, and Jeremy Jaacks, of Hampton; a brother-in-law, Richard Baker, of Tulsa, Okla.; sister-in-law, Betty Baker, Washington Court House, Ohio; one great-grandson, JC Erickson; and two great-grandchildren are expected later this year. Bob also survives many nieces, nephews, and numerous other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, Virgil Ruth; two brothers, David and Bernard Erickson; three brothers-in-law, Harold, Donald, and Duane Baker; and four sisters-in-law, Zada Erickson, Leone, Elaine, and Lydia Baker; and a daughter-in-law, Barbara Erickson.

Andrews Funeral Home, 641-444-4474.