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Service of Remembrance with Military Honors for Earl Erickson will be Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. MT at the Hettinger Lutheran Church.  Barb West, Synod Authorized Minister, will officiate.

Earl, at the age 88, left us peacefully on January 27, 2025. A beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend lived a life full of joy, laughter, and a deep love for anyone who entered his life.

Earl was born on January 23, 1937, to Phillip and Anna (Christman) Erickson in Lemmon, SD.  Growing up Earls father was a depot agent, so they moved around quite often but ultimately landed in Havelock, ND where Earl attended school from 1st-8th grade and eventually finishing his education in New England, ND. After graduating High School he enlisted in the US Army as a sharp shooter and was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany.

Earl returned to the States after being honorably discharged as a Private First Class and landed in Hettinger where he met the love of his life Joleen (Seamands). They were married on July 2, 1960 and were blessed with two children David and Dana.  Earl spent his years working for MDU from 1966 to 1998. During this time he was known for getting lost in snowstorms restoring power to the town when driving conditions were not advised.

He was a true man of character. His passions were as vibrant as his personality. A lifelong lover of western movies, he could often be found watching his favorite classics. He also enjoyed the occasional trip to the bowling alley, where he could be counted on to strike up a conversation.  And while his arm may have slowed with time, his love for a city softball league never did. But most of all, Earl adored his grandchildren. From collecting coins, babysitting every chance he could, to attending their sporting events, you could always count on Earl to be in the stands. In his later years you could find him catching a quick meal at CNN Cafe, walking to get the mail and shoveling the sidewalk after a fresh snow. He was the kind of man who gave freely, never once expected anything in return, finding fulfillment in the joy his generosity brought to others.

Earl is survived by his wife Joleen, son David (Joey) Erickson, daughter Dana (Eric) Andress. His grandchildren Bethany Erickson, Kye (Michelle) Erickson, Alyssa Andress, Conner Andress and one Great Grandson Emmett Erickson and his dad Al Mosbrucker. His sister Judy Erickson, brother Jim (Elaine) Erickson, brothers-in-law Jim (Carol) Seamands, Jon (Alice) Seamands, Jerel (Arlinda) Seamands, Jerome, Gene and Jeff Seamands, sister-in-law Judi Markegard and numerous extended family and friends.

Preceding Earl in death were his parents, Phillip and Anna Erickson, sisters Phyllis and Joan, brothers Phillip and Robert, father and mother-in-law Lowell and Muriel Seamands, brother-in-law Jay and his wife Francie Seamands, sister-in-law Bonnie Seamands and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and extended family. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Hettinger Lutheran Church Radio Room that Earl ran for many years or Hettinger Public School Stream Team that he watched in his later years when he was notable to attend events.