Memorial services for John O. Erickson were held on Thursday, July 26 at the First Lutheran Church of Rush City with Reverend Laurie O'Shea officiating. Music was provided by Muriel Bungert, Kris Althoff, Dianne Kirchberg, and Pastor O'Shea. Honorary urn bearers were: Mike Robinson, Mick Louzek, Bob Schlagel, Wayne Peshia, Greg McDonald, Harold Lind, Jerry Mollberg, and Kevin Schlagel. Inurnment was at the First Lutheran Cemetery of Rush City.

John was born and raised in Bemidji, Minn., to parents Hjalmer and Irene Erickson. He had three brothers: Richard, deceased; Douglas and James. He attended elementary and high school in Bemidji and one year at Bemidji State College.

He then enlisted in the U.S. Army on the "buddy" plan with a friend from Bemidji. He had basic training at Fort Story, Va., and then was sent to La Rochelle, France for three years. After basic training he returned home and on April 11, 1959, married Evelyn Carlson of Hibbing whom he had met in college.

After his return from the armed forces, John attended UMD and received his B.A. degree. His first job of teaching and coaching was in Beardsley, Minn. He then attended Superior State College where he was an assistant football. He also coached basketball in Barnum, Minn. He received his M.A. degree in counseling from Superior State.

John then moved his family to Rush City, having a one month old son, Kurt. Here he taught, coached and was the high school counselor for 25 years.

The last 10 years of his life were spent between Rush City and Mesa, Ariz. In Arizona he spent many happy hours golfing, mountain jeeping, playing pool and having early morning coffee with his park buddies.

John fought the battle of cancer for 10 years. Then on Friday, July 20 the Good Lord said "you've had enough" and took him home for his eternal rest.

He leaves behind his wife Evelyn, a son Kurt of Stanchfield, Minn., brothers James (Joan) of Cloquet, Minn., and Douglas Erickson of St. Paul, two nephews, one niece and many, many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Richard.

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