Keith Erickson

1945 - 2024

Keith Erickson

July 23, 1945 - September 21, 2024

Keith Robert Erickson peacefully returned to the Lord while surrounded by his loving family on September 21, 2024 at Methodist Hospital, St. Louis Park, Minn. Keith was a gentle soul who felt things deeply.

He was born into a farming family on July 23, 1945 to Agnes B. Erickson and O. Waldon Erickson in Funk, Neb. His interests included playing the tuba, participating in music competitions and All State Honor Bands, showing cows thru 4-H, and earning his Amateur Radio license, K0GNW. He graduated from Axtell High School in 1963.

Keith attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with distinction in 1968. He loved being in the Husker Marching Band. It was through the UNL Lutheran Student Center that he met and then married Patricia "Tish" Briggs on June 15, 1968.

He enlisted to be a soldier musician in the U.S. Army 1st/24th Infantry Division Band at Fort Riley in Kansas. After serving his country, Keith and Tish raised their two children in Kearney, Neb. and Owatonna, Minn. They were active with church, local music groups, and the local Amateur Radio Clubs. He was a Professional Engineer at NPPD and OPU. After being widowed in 1989, he married Leanna Lindquist on April 28, 1991 and gained two sons. Moving to Orono, Minn., they were active in the SPDLC sanctuary choir and enjoyed time at their cabin in Crosslake, Minn. He worked as a Professional Electrical Engineering consultant designing distribution and substations solutions until retiring in 2014.

Keith loved listening to live bands/orchestras, Classical MPR, and his Ham radios. He loved to learn, which included learning to play the French horn. He played both instruments in several community bands, MN4NE Husker Pep Band, Somewhat Dixieland Band, Lutheran Synod Band, and Minnetonka Chamber Orchestra. He enjoyed walking and cheering on the NE Huskers, MN Twins, and Caitlyn Clark. He was a lifelong member of American Radio Relay League (ARRL).

Throughout his life, he loved his family and they brought him joy and pride. Keith is survived by his wife, Leanna; children: Kari (Bob) McSherry, Karl (Deb) Erickson, Eric Lindquist; siblings: Margaret Kring, Jim (Su) Erickson; grandchildren: Sean and Renée McSherry, Emma, Ethan, and Elise Erickson, Martin and Samuel Lindquist; six nieces and nephews; and 10 grand nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Tish Erickson, Loren Kring, and Russell Lindquist.

Keith's Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, October 19, 2024 at noon at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Minn. with visitation 1.5 hours prior to the service. The service will be live streamed thru spdlc.org. There will be a light luncheon for sharing memories after the service. Inurnment of ashes will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minn. on Monday, October 21, 2024 at 9 a.m. Memorial donations preferred in Keith's memory to a musical organization of your choice, University of Nebraska Foundation, or St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church.

National Cremation Society

6505 Nicollet Ave, Richfield, MN 55423

612-869-3418