Joseph E. Erickson

Joseph E. Erickson

Joseph E. Erickson was born on the family homestead in Conrad, Montana, on May 6, 1914, to Sina Hamre and Erick M. Erickson. He grew up on the farm with eight brothers and one sister. He graduated from high school at Lutheran Brethren Schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota in 1933. He then attended University of North Dakota, Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota for the next school years, majoring in music. During his college years Joe sang in a traveling quartet, the Erickson-Walla quartet, which helped pay for his schooling. They toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Joe married his sweetheart, Dorothy, on September 20, 1940, in Conrad, Montana. They then moved to Pasadena, California where Joe worked at Lockheed Aircraft for two years. In 1943, Joe and Dorothy returned to the family farm to help his father for "two years", which turned out to be a 45-year farming career.
In 1943, Joe met John Newman and Clay Cooper of Vision, Inc. of Spokane, Washington. This lifelong friendship led to several mission trips to Japan, Taiwan, Africa, and Vietnam, over 50 countries in all. Joe was the singer for this group for ten to fifteen years. This was a great opportunity for Joe to express his interest in world mission work. After the 1950 trip to Asia, Joe brought to the attention of the Lutheran Brethren Church in America, the opportunity for a mission in Taiwan.
In the 1960's and 1970's Joe and Dorothy traveled extensively with Pastor Rosenius Norheim, preaching and singing around the U.S. Joe became known to many as the "singing farmer." His singing ministry and his heart for missions inspired the lives of many. It was during these years that Joe and Rosenius made numerous recordings.
Joe and Dorothy farmed until 1988. They retired in Mukilteo, Washington to be near their children.
Joe is survived by his daughter, Lorna Barnes; sons, Dennis and Lynn; brothers, Vernon and Bennett; grandchildren, Christopher Walla, Jennifer Nunnally, Jon Walla, Jesse Erickson and Peter Erickson; and great-grand-children, Gabriel, Julia and Mitchell.
Joe was loved and respected by all who knew him. His strong love for the Lord and his great gift for singing will always be remembered and greatly missed by his family and many friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 15, 2005, at Maple Park Lutheran Brethren Church, 17620 - 60th Avenue West, Lynnwood, WA 98037.
Memorials may be given to Lutheran Brethren World Missions. Arrangements by Beck's Funeral Home, Edmonds, 425-771-1234.