Warren Victor Erickson ('Merc') passed away January 3, 2003 at the age of 80 years, at River Hills Senior Residence in Cambridge. He was born on November 14, 1922 in Princeton and baptized at the Salem Lutheran Church of Dalbo. He was confirmed at, and a member for many decades, of Cambridge Lutheran Church. He attended the Dalbo School in his early years and later Cambridge High School where he captained the Cambridge High School basketball team (1938-39), and graduated in 1939. He attended, Gustavus Adolphus College and the University of Minnesota, which he left in July of 1942 to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He began his tour of duty, with six months of cadet training at the University of Missouri and the University of Miami, where he became certified as an aerial navigator. He later was based on active duty in Port of Spain/Trinidad. He flew support as a transport flight traffic clerk to deliver vital munitions, men and equipment to the coast of west Africa. He also served in the Far East during the China Offensive on support missions over China, Burma and India. Following the war he was awarded the A-P Theater Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. Upon discharge from the service Warren married Leone Palmquist of North Branch on March 31, 1946 and settled in Cambridge. To this union seven children were born, including the youngest, Beverly Annette, who died as an infant in 1962.
Warren's mother was Otelia (Forslund) Erickson, originally from Springvale Township, and his father was Elmer V. Erickson from Comfort Township in Kanabec County. Elmer entered the banking business with the Dalbo Bank in 1917 and moved the business and his family, including Warren, sister Lorraine and brother George to Cambridge during the Great Depression. The business continues today as the Cambridge State Bank.
Except for his time in the Army Air Corps during WWll, and his college studies, Warren spent his life as a resident of Cambridge. He worked diligently at the bank (until months before his death) for almost 60 years in various positions including: insurance and real estate agent, teller, cashier, Treasurer, Vice-President, and was a member of the bank's Board of Directors. Warren was also a long-time member of the Minnesota Farmers Union, the American Legion Post #290 (57 years), Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, was a charter member of Cambridge Memorial Hospital, and donated his time and resources to a number of charities.
Warren was proud of his Swedish heritage, which he learned in the community and around his parents' kitchen table during evening bible devotions. He loved lutefisk and never missed a Swedish Festival Parade, but also valued the ethnic diversity of fellow Americans and customers he met daily at the bank, quizzing them on their own ethnic roots and experiences. In his younger days, he enjoyed many hunting and fishing expeditions to Ontario with close friends and family that he enjoyed recalling. In recent years, he often went fishing with his grandchildren, either at his hideaway trailer north of Malmo in Aitkin County or at a number of other lake resort retreats. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Warren was preceded in death his parents, Elmer and Otelia Erickson; his sister, Lorraine Setterlund; and infant daughter Beverly. Warren is survived by his loving partner and best friend in life, Leone Erickson, of Cambridge; children Patricia (George) Brelig of Fort Collins, Colorado; Barbara (Bruce) Hysing of Dalbo; David (Dianna) Erickson of Cambridge; Jane (Mark) Moskowitz of Ashland, Oregon; Judy (Lowell) Carpenter of Fergus Falls; Dr. Robert (Gwen) Erickson of Duluth; and by 14 loving and devoted grandchildren, Aaron Samuelson; Nathan, Jacob and Jonathan Brelig; Melissa and Sonya Hysing; Adam and Sara Erickson; Ethan and Maya Moskowitz; Glen and Carl Carpenter; and Blake and Connor Erickson. He is also survived by his brother George (Roselynn) Erickson of Cambridge.
Services were held at the Cambridge Lutheran Church on Monday, January 27, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Dennis Tollefson officiating and organ music by Kim Erickson. Special music was provided by Swedish hymn soloists Eunice Hupfer singing Day by Day and Shawn Mai singing Thy Holy Wings. Pallbearers were Aaron Samuelson, Nathan Brelig, Adam Erickson, Jacob Brelig, Jonathan Brelig and Glen Carpenter. Interment was in the Cambridge Lutheran Cemetery. Memorial contributions sent to Warren Erickson Memorial fund, c/o Cambridge State Bank, will be distributed to Isanti County Hospice Services and other local senior care organizations.
Arrangements were with the Carlson-Labatte Funeral Home in Cambridge.