John S. Erickson

John Sidney Erickson, 83, died Friday, May 2, 2025, at Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, Minnesota.

He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on May 1, 1942. His family moved to Brainerd, Minnesota in 1945 and he graduated from Washington High School, class of 1960. He married Mary Ann Hauck on October 3, 1964.

John enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from February 1964 to May 1968. In October 1965 he was assigned to the 3rd Fleet Marine Division, and deployed with the Marines to Vietnam as a Navy Corpsman for 18 months and then was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina on the USS Hunley. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

He graduated from Mankato State College with a Bachelor’s in Nursing in 1973 and moved to Fargo, North Dakota, to work at the VA Hospital.

In 1976 John and the family moved to Bismarck, North Dakota, where he graduated from Central North School of Nurse Anesthesia at St. Alexius Hospital in 1978. He continued to work at St. Alexius and eventually became the head of the School, living in Bismarck until 1986, at which time the family moved to Devils Lake, North Dakota, where John partnered with another Nurse Anesthetist to establish a business providing anesthesia services at Mercy Hospital and at hospitals in surrounding communities until his retirement in 2007.

John spent his retirement years in the Brainerd lakes area and in Mesa, Arizona, spending time with family in both places.

John was a lifelong Minnesota sports fan and in his youth was a standout pitcher for area baseball teams. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, and building and fixing things around the house. He liked playing card games and could be found playing solitaire every morning before the sun came up. He had a soft spot for the family pets, and they naturally gravitated toward him, finding comfort sitting on his lap.

John enjoyed spending time at his parents lake cabin on North Long Lake and later at his lake house on Whitefish Lake. He also enjoyed visiting with friends and family and traveling, especially after retirement.

John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Ann; his daughter, Cristy (Jack) Schaan of Mesa, Arizona; son Daniel of Apache Junction, Arizona; and son Matthew (Debby) of Brainerd, Minnesota. He is also survived by his sister Linda (Bob) Jensen of Champlin, Minnesota; and by his grandchildren Chris (Monica) Schaan, Lexie (Jacob) Vermeer-Schaan, Ally Schaan and Sam Erickson; and one great-grandchild, Luc Schaan. Also left to cherish his memory are many extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herb and Marion Erickson.

Services will be held on Friday May 9, 2025 at 11:00am at Grace United Methodist Church in Pequot Lakes. Visitation will begin one hour before the service at the church. John's funeral will be livestreamed. Please follow the link here

Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny-Kline Family Funeral Chapel, Pequot Lakes.