Service of Remembrance for Andrew E. Erickson, 98, lifelong Hettinger area farmer/rancher will be Friday, February 26, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hettinger Lutheran Church. Rev. Kathleen Dettmann will officiate and burial will follow at the Hettinger Cemetery. Visitations will be Thursday, February 25 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. and 1 hour prior to the services at the church on Friday afternoon. A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the church.

ANDREW EDWIN ERICKSON was born on May 5, 1911 to Marie (Goplin) and Edwin Erickson in a sod house in Taylor Butte Township. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and as a young boy he worked with his dad on the farm and ranch.


Andrew was united in marriage to his lifelong sweetheart, Mayme Thormodsgard on Dec. 24, 1937 at her parents' home. On that day, Andrew promised "he would make the living if she would make the living worthwhile" and together they did for 68 years. To this union nine children were born.

Andrew, Mayme and their family resided on their farm 18 miles north of Hettinger. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather. Andrew took great pride in his family considering Mayme and family his greatest treasures.


Andrew loved his livestock, especially his horses and a good dog. He was a good neighbor and a fair, honest man in all his business dealings. He was Taylor Butte Township Treasurer for 20 years, Trustee on the Richland Lutheran Church Board and also served on the Haynes Equity Board for several years.


He entered the Western Horizon's Care Center in February 2004 and resided there until his death on Saturday Feb. 20th, 2010. He will be forever missed.


Grateful for having shared in his life are his sons, Norris, Vern (Dyanne), Lynn, all of Hettinger and Andy (Angela), of Dickinson; daughters, Janette (Gaylord) Wilkie of Dickinson, Alice (Jon) Seamands of Hettinger, Ruth (Roger) Kirshmann of Bismarck and Mary (Harry) Ehlers, of Reeder; a special cousin, Arly Goplin of Hettinger; 23 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren, and one great-great grandson. Andrew was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and lifelong friend, Mayme, two brothers, three sisters, two granddaughters, one infant daughter, Joyce and one daughter-in-law.