Jerome Erick Erickson

Jerome Erick Erickson, age 82, of Maplewood, Minnesota passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2023.

Jerome Erick Erickson was born on June 2, 1941 at Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis, MN to Edward Adolph and Doris Adelaide (Lundberg) Erickson. He was welcomed by his older sister, Diane. Subsequently, three more sisters joined the family – Jenell, Mary, and Bonnie.

Jerry attended the Jennie Lind Elementary School in Minneapolis-Camden area followed by High School graduation from Moundsview HS. He was interested in mechanics from an early age, learning a great deal on this subject from his father who worked for many years as an automobile mechanic at Downtown Chrysler.

Jerry’s first full-time job was at Gould National Battery as a battery-testing technician until he joined the United States Air Force in 1962. He received his basic training in Denver, CO, then transferred to the USAF base in Minot, ND where he worked on B-52’s as a tail-gun repair technician. Jerry was honorably discharged in August 1966.

On June 2, 1968, he was married to Etta Charlene Heikes of Mora, MN. They lived in Falcon Heights, MN for the next 5 years while Jerry completed his Business Administration degree at the University of Minnesota graduating in June 1973. During his college years he worked as a field Engineer for Burrough’s Corporation and Barber-Colma Inc. Following graduation, he was employed in Sales Administration for Maxi-Switch in Coon Rapids, then at MCT Semiconductors and Atrium Corporation of St. Paul. For several years he and Etta owned and operated a software business known as Global Software which built and supported maintenance software. He later worked as a field engineer for Create-a-Card traveling throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin to maintain equipment for a new start-up software company that enabled the general public to create their own greeting cards in the big-box stores like Target and Walmart. In his retirement years Jerry enjoyed part-time employment with Quick Silver Express as a courier delivering clinical lab specimens in outlying areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Jerry was an active member of the Anoka Toastmaster’s Club for 12 years and made lifelong friends there. As a member of Coon Rapids E-Free church, he sang bass in the church choir and was in a male quartet that sang frequently for services. He lent a hand when the church expansion was built and drove the church Sunday School bus. Golf and bowling were Jerry’s sports of choice.

He and Etta, along with their daughters, Alyson and Janna, joined the Coon-Oka Square Dance club and all became proficient dancers. The family also had fun using their pop-up camper for weekend outings. Jerry was always willing to do free car repair for friends and family. He spent many hours teaching his daughter, her boyfriend and multiple other friends and family how to fix their vehicles. His instruction on car maintenance continued to his grandchildren. He and Etta spent many hours on their deck - sometimes under the awning while it rained – playing cribbage and both trying to win.

Jerry spent his last year in Langston Shores long term care facility where he was content and well-cared for. We loved him so very much and will sorely miss his mellow, kind and fun-loving ways.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Doris Erickson. He is survived by his wife, Etta; daughters, Alyson Charlene (Rich) Kurschner of Minneapolis, MN and Janna Joy (Paul) Swanson of Ayrshire, IA; grandchildren Kayleigh Charlene, Christian Jerome, and Samuel Richard Kurschner and Jorja Joy and Esme Grace Swanson; sisters, Diane Bretheim, Mary (Terry) Hartin, Jenell (Ben) Blenker, and Bonnie (Brent Bednar) McClish.

Final Resting Place will be Lake Lida Baptist Cemetery in Pelican Rapids, MN.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/minneapolis-cremation for the Erickson family.