Joel Howard Erickson

Joel Howard Erickson, age 79 years, passed away at his home on July 14, 2019, surrounded by family. He fought a courageous battle against cancer for several years, fighting until the end. 

Joel was born at home on September 16, 1939 in Schaefer Township, MN, to Howard and Lorraine (Carlson) Erickson. Joel is the fourth of 4 siblings. He attended school in Taylors Falls until the family moved to New Ulm, MN where Joel attended New Ulm High School until his graduation in May 1957. He then worked for the US Postal Service until entering the US Army May 1963 through May 1965, stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia for the duration of his service. He married Sheila Ann Kleinbeck on June 22, 1968 in Minneapolis. Joel’s employment spanned from U.S. Post Office, Sears in Minneapolis, Pako Corporation, Minneapolis, then 32 years with Weyerhaeuser Company, with last 10 years of his Weyerhaeuser employment located in Santa Paula, CA, from where he retired in 1999. Upon retirement the family returned to their northern Minnesota lake place, where they built their retirement home and enjoyed the beauty of the woods and all it has to offer, and, more importantly, the slower pace of life. Not quite ready to retire, Joel went to work as a floor supervisor for AcroTech Midwest, Inc., in Riverton, Mn. until health determined retirement #2. Again – needing to keep somewhat active, he then rejoined the US Post Office as a substitute route driver in the rural Remer area until the final retirement #3. 

Joel is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Lorraine. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sheila; two daughters, Suzanne (Remer) and Stephanie (Minneapolis); grandchildren Joseph and Destiny; sister Jyneal (Greg Greer) of Remer, Jacqueline (Richard Lovberg) of Minneapolis, and brother John (Kathy) of Bonita Springs, FL., as well as many nieces and nephews. 

A Memorial Gathering will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, July 20, 2019 with a Sharing of Memories at 2:30 p.m. at the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby. If desired memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.