Obituary: Thomas Emanuel Erickson Sr.

Thomas Emanuel Erickson Sr., 78, formerly of Duluth, passed away from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on June 4, 2016, in Chester, Illinois.

Services were held at Wilson Funeral Homes in Steelville, Illinois after cremation in 2016. Thomas was brought home to Duluth by his daughter, Tammy, and laid to rest June 5 during a family gathering in the veterans section at Sunrise Memorial Park Cemetery and Cremation Gardens in Hermantown.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Emmanuel Erickson and Esther Rose of Duluth; his first wife, Dorlene (Mike) Kenney; third wife, Lavada; daughter Toni (Barrett); great-grandson Beauden (Shaw); and siblings passed as of his burial, Leonard, William “Duke,” Carol, Eleanor, Barbara and Marian.

He is survived by three children, Tammy (Michael) Hanzlik, Thomas Erickson, and Todd (Jennifer) Erickson; his grandchildren, Brandon Jon Erickson, Brooke (Kodey) Shaw, Jared Barrett, Brittany (Chris) Oestreich and Sean Erickson; his great-grandchildren Brandon James Erickson, Courtney Erickson, Luca Oestreich, Sadie Oestreich, Breccen Shaw and Willow Shaw; and numerous extended family and friends from his many places of residence and travels.

Thomas served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

He delivered Scamp trailers when he lived in Backus, Minnesota. He traveled all over the United States with his family. His main traveling companions were his Lavada; his mother-in-law, Edna, and son, Todd.

He was also a union steward in Minneapolis and Duluth. In retirement he lived in the Duluth area. His first wife, Dorlene, lived in Cloquet with her second husband, Mike Kenney.

The Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins were a fun part of his life, especially the 1969 NFL champion Vikings and the World Series champions in 1987 and 1991. He adored Joe Kapp and Kirby Puckett.

Our family would like to thank the entire staff from Sunrise Memorial Park for all the kindness and care you showed us.

Pine Knot News, June 21, 2024