Donald Curtis Erickson

Memorial Service for Donald "Don" Erickson of Starbuck, will be held, Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck, with Don Swenson S.A.M. officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church. Military Honors will be at the conclusion of the service at the church. Private family burial will be held in the East Zion Church Cemetery in Starbuck at a later date.

Donald Curtis Erickson, died Friday, March 6, 2026, at Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood, Minnesota. He was 75 years old. He was born on December 29, 1950, in Starbuck, a son of Newman and Mildred (Olson) Erickson. Don grew up on the family farm south of Starbuck and attended country school until the 8th grade and then graduated from Starbuck High School in 1968. While at Starbuck High Don was an active participant in both football and wrestling.

In 1969 Don was drafted into the US Army (Specialist Four) where he worked as a driver for a Colonel and worked Border Patrol while stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1971 and returned to Starbuck to farm with his brother Robert.

Don was united in marriage to Eloise (Amundson) of Starbuck November 30, 1974. They made their home on a farm south of Glenwood for 16 years milking cows and raising crops. During this time Don and Eloise were blessed with two children, Crystal Gail and Richard Donald.

In 1991 Don and Eloise moved to a farm south of Starbuck and began his own farm drainage/construction company of Erickson Excavating. Crystal and Rick worked side by side with him learning everything about farm drainage, general dirt work, sewer installs and so much more. Rick continued to work with Don after high school and continues to build what Don started. Don has said many times that the best times of his life were when he was working with his children in the field.

Don enjoyed his days farming and doing construction but also would never turn down a cup of coffee. He was often at one of his brothers or neighbors home sitting around the table where he often reminisced about his childhood days, farming with his brothers, and sharing stories of family and good friends throughout his life.

Don was not a shy person; he could always strike up a conversation with a stranger that would lead to new friendship. He loved OBGs (Oldies but Goodies) music, especially Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison, Cher and listening to Western stories on the XM radio.

He had a passion for heavy machinery, excelling as an excavator and heavy equipment operator, and took great pride in his work as a business owner in the construction industry. He was also a fan of Lincoln cars, Steiger tractors, and enjoyed unwinding with classic Westerns like "Gunsmoke", "Bonanza" and "The Andy Griffth Show." Don also enjoyed deer hunting, an occasional game of golf, a boat ride on the lake, and a cold beer after a hard day's work. He was known for his humor with one-liners, nicknames for friends and enjoyed the company of others.

Don believed in working hard, doing a quality job, and honesty. These are the traits and ethics he grew up with and strived to instill in his children.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Eloise; his children, Crystal (Mike) Toft of Belleville, WI and Rick (Patti) Erickson of Starbuck; four grandchildren, Ainsley and Hudson Toft and Kylie and Tenley Erickson; brother, Mike (Mary) Erickson of Starbuck; sisters, Marge Kleinhans of Morris, June (Dan) Levandoski of Hopkins; sister-in-law, Bonnie Erickson, as well as several nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Newman and Mildred; brothers, Robert, Dennis, Vernon, Harvey and sister, Beatrice. 

The Starbuck Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements for Don.