David Thomas Erickson, age 83, Mahtomedi, Minnesota was called home by his Lord & Savior on Saturday afternoon March 4, 2023 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis. He was surrounded by his loving family. Born January 3, 1940 in Dr. Townsend’s home Brooten, Minnesota, he grew up on a farm at R.R. #1 Sedan - Gilchrist Township.

He was the son of Oscar Edwin and Anna Elizabeth (Carlson) Erickson. Dave was baptized at Rolling Forks Lutheran Church and confirmed at Glenwood Lutheran. Dave married the love of his life, Nancy Vienette Garland on July 1, 1961 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Marinette, Wisconsin. They joined First Lutheran Church, Columbia Heights, Minnesota and for 56 years have been members of St. Stephen Lutheran, White Bear Lake, Minnesota. There he taught Sunday School, served on the church council and building committee.

Dave attended a one room school – District #2 until 1952 when his family moved to Glenwood, Minnesota. Upon graduating from Glenwood High he attended Augsburg College, Minneapolis and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota. Dave worked at Peter’s Sunset Beach on Lake Minnewaska, Electric Steel Columbia Heights, and taught at North High, Minneapolis and White Bear Lake High School. Life’s path was altered in 1970 when Dave went to work for West Publishing in St. Paul/Eagan, Minnesota. He served on the Dakota County Quality Council Board of Directors, the Board of Trustees for Minnesota State Colleges and other community boards.

Serving as chair of the board of PEER (People for Environmental Enlightenment and Responsibility) was a gift to our community, Minnesota and United States citizens. The case against the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, Northern States Power, and Minnesota Power & Light was finally won in the Minnesota State Supreme Court. It became a precedent setting case in the United States as it defined where power companies could place new poles and lines. Dave had the privilege of being a driving force behind the case but also having West Publishing employees enter the data, print and bind books which included it.

Dave used his many God given talents to serve his family and others as a designer, draftsman, builder, teacher, leader, cartoonist, poet, cook and baker. As a boss he was an advocate and mentor for the employee always treating everyone with respect. The world was his home; he loved to travel, meet people and was always comfortable everywhere.

Dave is missed by his loving wife Nancy (Garland) Erickson and family Vienette Erickson Olson (Paul), Angelica Drews (Christian), Thanh Thi Le (Kennedy Otiso), Natashia Otiso, Adam Olson and Greta Simons, Ashley Olson and Lotus.

He is also survived by his sister Ardis Stone and sister-in-law Claudette Ahlgren, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. His parents, two brothers Donovan and Rodney, sister Donna Blair, brothers-in-law Art Stone, Dale Blair and Richard Ahlgren preceded him in death.

Our family gives praise to God and thanks to our ministers, employer, medical professionals (St. Paul & Minneapolis, Marinette Wisconsin, and Whittier California), Mahtomedi emergency personnel, family, neighbors and friends who prayed for and helped Dave and us in his 39 year battle against heart disease.

A memorial service will be held October 1, 2023 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church 1965 East County Road E, White Bear Lake, MN 651-777-1107. Friends may call at 2:00 PM until time of service at 3:00 PM with Pastor Juli Thompson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Stephen Lutheran Church or Our Savior’s Lutheran Church 1600 University Drive, Marinette, WI 715-735-3101.