Robert “Bob” Erickson, 97

Published 6:56 am Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Robert “Bob” Erickson, 97, of Austin, Minnesota, died Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, at Prairie Meadows Assisted Living in Kasson, Minnesota.

Robert “Bob” Erickson, 97

Robert Melvin Erickson was born June 26, 1921, in Austin, the son of Melvin Russell and Kate (Best) Erickson. He received his education in Austin, graduating from Austin High School and worked for a time in the Hormel office before entering the United States Navy. He served for 3 ½ years, seeing action in the invasion of North Africa as well as the Philippines. After his discharge, he returned to Austin, where he was united in marriage to Mary Jane Murphy at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in 1946. The couple lived in Austin, where they raised their two children. Bob returned to Hormel following his military service, retiring in 1983. Mary Jane died in 1993. On July 1, 2007, Bob was married to Darlene Primm at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin. He loved to golf, scoring three holes-in-one, fish and hunt pheasant, and took great pride caring for his cars.

Survivors include his wife, Darlene Erickson of Kasson; his children, Connie (Brian) Bonfig of Woodbury, Minnesota, and Mark (Betty) Erickson of Billings, Montana; seven grandchildren, including, Jason (Marie) and Brandon Bonfig, Katie and Don Olson, Karrie and Todd Owen, Kristi, Kayla and KaCee Erickson; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Kenneth (Susan) Erickson and Donald (Shirley) Erickson, all of Austin; Darlene’s children and families, Lana Weivoda of Florida, Kathy (Sidney) Spurgeon of Warsaw, Minnesota, Jeffrey (Camille) Lechnir of Kasson and Trace Lechnir of Tampa, Florida; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jane Erickson; parents, Melvin and Kate Erickson; two brothers, Ronald and Russell Erickson; and one sister, Nancy Zschunke.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor Mark Niethammer officiating. Military honors conducted by VFW Post 1216 and American Legion Post 91 will follow the service at the church. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018, at the Worlein Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Interment will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, at Oakwood Cemetery. Services are prearranged and preformed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.