ROBERT ALLEN ERICKSON
ROBERT ALLEN ERICKSON
Robert Allen Erickson, son of Helen (Stroup) and Dale Erickson, was born July 14, 1935 at Harkin Hospital in Osceola, Iowa. He graduated from Lorimor high school in 1953. Robert married Shirley Strange on December 6, 1957 at the Presbyterian Church in Creston, Iowa. To this union they had a son, Mark Allen, on July 5, 1959.
After graduating, he went into the U.S. Army and was stationed in Japan for 18 months. When he returned home, he farmed for a short time and due to health problems, he went to work in Creston at a lumber yard as an office manager/bookkeeper. When that store closed, he moved to Mount Ayr to work for Roe Implement. He also worked as a secretary manager for Ringgold Mutual. In 1973 Royce Dredge and Robert bought Roe Implement. After it closed, Bob worked in the auditor’s office, Harvey Brothers and Glendenning Motors. He then went back to IH at Vetter’s until retirement.
Robert was a member of the United Methodist Church where he was very active with Methodist Men serving as president and treasurer, teaching youth and serving anywhere he was needed within the church. He was active in the Lions Club which gave him 40 years of playing Santa for the young children in the community. As a member of the American Legion he participated in serving Sunday breakfast and the color guard. Since 1973 Bob has continued to serve on the Ringgold Mutual Board. In his early years he was leader for Weeblos and Boy Scouts where he had several boys earn their Eagle Scout; he was involved as a 4-H leader, and he also served on the Civil Service Committee and Veterans Affairs.
Robert, known by his friends as Bookie, was a man who lived his life to the fullest. He was an honest, hardworking and dedicated person. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and friend who always had a joke or story to share. He spent his life serving his Lord, loving others and giving his all to each person he came in contact with, never knowing a stranger. He loved visiting and taking time chatting with the farmers every day at Dredge Feed. Some of his favorite pastimes included traveling the countryside, gardening, trains and tractors. He will be missed by many and his memories will live on through those he left behind.
Robert passed away at age 77 on March 15, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Dale Erickson; mother-in-law, Unity Strange, and grandson, Jacobie Erickson.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley (Strange) Erickson of Mount Ayr, Iowa; son, Mark Allen (Brenda) Erickson of New Virginia, Iowa; granddaughters, Alexi and Toriann Erickson, and great-grandson, Myles Allen Carter Erickson, all of New Virginia, Iowa; sister, Barbara (Garn) Iverson of Las Vegas, Nevada; nephews, Hal (Terrie) Iverson of Gilbert, Arizona and Cyle (Stacy) Iverson of Las Vegas, Nevada; great-niece, Jena; great-nephews, Alex and Mitchell; father-in-law, Don Strange of Mount Ayr, Iowa, and a host of extended family and friends. Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
Services were conducted at the United Methodist Church in Mount Ayr on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, with Rev. Skip Rushing officiating. Musicians were Simply Voices.
Casket bearers were Randy McDonnell, Bob Shafer, Delwyn Showalter, Steve Worthington, Richard Elliott and Royce Dredge.
Military rites were by American Legion Ringgold Post #172 and Iowa Army Honor Guard.
Bob was laid at rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.
Memorials are to the United Methodist Men’s Group, American Legion and Lions Club.
